The Carroll County Airport Commission has voted to proceed with development plans at the west end of the airport.
At the June 21 meeting, consulting engineer Joey Wallace explained how upcoming grant cycles could help the airport build two new six-bay hangars. The airport had entered into an agreement last year with tenant Larkin Floyd, whose lease was about to expire. The commission extended the lease period on Floyd’s main building, in return for immediate access to the remainder of his leased property.
Grimes outlined a plan to remove a building to accommodate the new hangars. The funding could become available in the fall, and the airport could start construction in spring. The project would require a lot of fill dirt and a retaining wall on one side. The airport will need to spend an estimated $45,000 before receiving reimbursement.
Chair Dave Teigen expressed concern for the owners of some airplanes stored in that area. “We were aware of this when we approved it, but it got here a little quicker than we expected,” he said. Some airplane owners will have to relocate their planes until the new hangars are finished. Commissioners decided they could minimize the disruption by waiting to remove the building until most of the dirt work is done.
In other business:
- A hangar currently under lease has been offered for sale to the commission at a price of $35,000. The lease has 16 years left, which would work out to $190 per month, and the commission could charge $300 per month for the hangar. The commissioners have taken steps to take over other leases, but this purchase would stretch the airport’s finances at a time when funds will be needed for other construction projects. Before leaving the topic, commissioners discussed the possibility of a third party buying the hangar, subletting the space, and later selling the lease to the commission.
- In May, some pilots at the meeting mentioned an overall decline in general aviation. The airport’s fuel sales were lower. Returning to that topic this month, everyone agreed that aircraft prices have remained steady. Teigen attributed lower fuel sales to weather problems. On a related subject, commissioners heard that some airports have been eliminated by municipalities restricting the sale of leaded fuel. Aviation fuel currently has lead, and alternatives are at least five years away. Questions remain about potential engine problems from switching over to unleaded fuel.
- The commission will seek estimates on the cost of smoothing out the end of the runway. In a recent incident, a plane suffered some damage when a pilot landed long and was unable to stop before the end of the runway. The relatively minor project will only require a few feet of fill.
- The commission may sell tee-shirts to help promote the airport. The commissioners discussed a design, and they will check on the size of a minimum order.
- Discussion of awarding a student scholarship was postponed.
- The airport had the opportunity to buy half a load of fuel without a freight penalty.