The Park Rapids Airport Commission on Wednesday, July 10 debated how to move forward with capital projects while avenues for government funding seem to have stalled.
Arrival-departure building
Regarding improvements sought for the arrival-departure (AD) building, project manager Matt Gustafson with TKDA reported the airport has been applying for a grant from a five-year, federal program that funds up to $1 billion in terminal improvements per year, nationwide.
After not being awarded a grant during the first two years, Gustafson said the application for year 3 is due July 31.
Asked about the chances that the city will be awarded the grant, Gustafson estimated 5 to 10%, but said it was “worth a shot” because the grant would fund 100% of the project cost.
Meanwhile, he said, terminal buildings are a low priority for other federal funding, and state funding comes with a 30% local share. Gustafson suggested that the city start saving money toward that local share.
He warned that accepting any Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funds for an airport project would start a 40-year clock during which the FAA will not award any other funding to the airport. He said this pushes airports to plan for larger terminal projects.
Jeff Voigt with fixed-base operator Park Rapids Aviation voiced frustration with the amount of time it is taking to move forward with AD building improvements. Airport Manager Scott Burlingame agreed, “We’ve talked about this for how many years?”
Voigt urged the commission to put a plan together, get an engineering cost estimate and start raising funds for the project.
To commission chair Thom Peterson’s hint that “you’ve got to show (investors) a picture first,” Voigt agreed, “We need a picture. And maybe then we can also work on the state (funding avenue), and if this federal grant comes through, awesome. I think we’re just spinning our wheels here. We’re never going to get anything done out there. This building is going to fall down before we do anything.”
Voigt suggested getting rid of the AD building’s upstairs meeting room, eliminating the need for an elevator – “for what that generates in revenue, why spend the money?” – and reducing the project to accessibility updates for the lobby and restrooms and addressing leaks and mold.
Asked if they could get an engineering cost estimate, Gustafson said the total cost of the project as originally conceived was estimated at $1.3 million, including construction and inspections.
City council work session
The airport commission discussed joining the city council for a work session on July 23 to discuss possible changes in the airport’s master lease agreement, regarding what may and may not be stored in hangars.
The commission asked City Administrator Angel Weasner to request a later date for the work session, such as Sept. 24, to accommodate Voigt’s availability and a likely budget workshop in August.
The discussion will also cover the question of hangar leases traveling with airplane sales vs. going to the next party on the waitlist.
In other business business, the airport commission:
- Received an airport finance report. Weasner said the airport has received about 78% of its budgeted revenue for the year, but is still waiting on tax payments and a grant award to purchase snow removal equipment.
- Heard Burlingame report how maintenance staff will spray weeds in cracks in the concrete around airport buildings, then blow the cracks and fill them with rubber.
The airport commission’s next meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at city hall.
Robin Fish is a staff reporter at the Park Rapids Enterprise. Contact him at [email protected] or 218-252-3053.
