An aerial view of Harriet Alexander Field, Salida Airport. (courtesy photo)
The economic slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic known as COVID-19 has also impacted traffic at Harriet Alexander Field – Salida Airport, the Airport Advisory Board heard on Wednesday April 22.
Airport Manager Zech Papp said while the past month has been slow for air traffic, United Parcel Service still flies in five days per week, and while fuel sales are down, the airport still provides fuel for some aircraft including the REACH Airbus helicopter that is stationed at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center. The slowdown, Papp said, also gives him and his assistant needed time to catch up on maintenance and necessary paperwork.
The board approved a hanger lease sale on the property from Greg Gampler to Ralph Croft, as well as the required land lease.
The repair of the field Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) is being held up due to a contractor who no longer does such maintenance as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Papp said he is working other contacts to find a contractor.
Papp said he’ll also be meeting with city and county officials on the airport property overlay plan with the overlay envelope diagrams and land use definitions for future development.
Regarding the federal Airport Improvement Project (AIP) funding for this year, Papp told board members that Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants for such projects are currently being funded at 100 percent levels, rather than requiring the usual five percent local matching funds. The FAA grant for this year will total $600,000.
He told the board there has been a lot of contractor interest for the summer project that will include runway repair, striping and seal coating.
An airport master plan has been approved and finalized, he said, and once that has been closed out with the FAA, then bidding on the AIP project can proceed. Papp also reported that under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in response to the pandemic impact, Salida received another $30,000 for operations and maintenance. Officials will seek clarification on what the money may be used for.
Another project, replacement of the airport beacon tower, has had all height variances approved and engineering work completed and can soon be let out to bid, Papp said.
The Airport Advisory Board was notified officially Wednesday that the planned Air Show, which had been scheduled for July 11th at Harriet Alexander Field has now officially been canceled. Airport Manager Zech Papp said getting acts for the show was proving difficult, given the circumstances. Also leading to the decision; questions about whether having large crowds at the field would be advisable given that no one knows what will happen next due to COVID-19.
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