On Oct. 26, a new Quick Turn-Around rent-a-car facility broke ground at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP). 

The new facility will consolidate all car fueling, cleaning, and maintenance for the six on-airport rent-a-car brands in a single, on-airport location, according to the announcement. Opening is scheduled for November 2023.

Through the Tenant Development Approach, Conrac Solutions will provide development, financing, and operation of the facility. The 2.68-acre site will include a 13,000 square foot building accommodating two automated car washes, offices and break room, six fueling stations, one above-ground fuel tank, and staging for more than 300 vehicles. Additionally, the project facility will include the installation of a covered walkway alongside the vehicle Ready Return area, providing protection from the weather.

No taxpayer money is used to build the facility, the announcement said. Financing of the $11 million project is supported solely by the Customer Facility Charge charged to rental customers. The financing was arranged by Conrac Solutions Capital and provided by iCON Infrastructure LLP. Under the financing structure, the airport and rent-a-car industry bear no financial obligations for construction costs or long-term maintenance of the facility.

“We appreciate the opportunity to have teamed with the rent-a-car industry and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport to bring the vision for an enhanced AVP Airport to fruition. We are also excited to work with regional partners to provide an improved transportation solution to those traveling in northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Conrac Solutions’ CEO Michael Minerva.

“Hertz is accelerating the adoption of electrification by investing in the largest rental fleet of electric vehicles in North America and expanding the availability of charging stations,” said Scott Pflueger, Hertz Corporation director, properties & concessions. “The new Consolidated Quick Turn-Around Facility at AVP is another way to provide the general public with a premium electric experience while reducing carbon emissions.”

Scranton-based L.R. Costanzo Construction Services Co., Inc. will lead the project’s design and building, with PGAL as architect. The airport's groundbreaking event was attended by elected officials, airport staff, Conrac Solutions, rental industry, and project stakeholders.