Some priority projects at the Salida Airport will be getting underway this summer, thanks to local planning and additional federal funding.
The Airport Advisory Board heard recently from Airport Manager Zech Papp that the master plan for Harriet Alexander Field, which has been drafted and revised since 2016, has gotten final approval.
Federal funding for the project year apparently has the airport in good shape financially for major work, including the overlay and sealing work on the runway and taxiway at the field. The funding is shared among a number of smaller airports, each getting full funding on a four-year cycle.
Papp reported funding for this year from the Federal Aviation Administration, Colorado Department of Transportation and other sources will amount to an estimated $670,000 in available funds. The FAA this year has determined to fund 100 percent of the projects, which usually require some matching funds from city and county, he said. Another plus was an additional $30,000 in grant funds provided from the federal CARES Act financing, to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said that if project expenses come in as anticipated this year, some additional funds could be reserved for major projects in the next grant cycle in 2023.
Thus far, only two bids have been received for the local airport projects. Papp noted some airport project bids are running higher than normal, due in part to some impact on material producers and the fact the FAA often has strict guidelines on material specifications.
Papp reported that work continues on the airport overlay district and definition of boundaries that affect development and land use. A map was to be reviewed by county officials and others regarding the development envelope.
Concerns have always centered on not hemming in future expansion for new hangars and facilities at the field and limiting residential development too close to the airport, which could result in future noise complaints from new residents who may not initially realize the frequency of local air traffic. Some commercial flights, Papp noted come in at 7 a.m.
The anticipated repairs to the field Automated Weather Observation System have been delayed over having to identify a new contractor to perform the work. Papp said he hopes to have a contract awarded shortly.
Construction of a new airport beacon tower should also be underway relatively soon, Papp reported. The project will be in two parts, including erecting the new tower and taking down the old structure and transferring equipment and electronics to the new structure.
The slowdown due to the impact of the COVID-19 has resulted in a decline in fuel sales, but Papp said the annual sales rate is still good. He said over the past month, a total of about 500 gallons of aviation fuel was sold, compared with 3,000 gallons the same month a year prior, due to the decline in flight traffic. Even with the pandemic slowdown, Papp said while some 12,900 gallons of fuel was sold last year, with increased activity due to the Decker Fire, some 12,200 gallons have been sold thus far this year, and field traffic has begun to pick up.
Featured photo: Expanse of the Salida Airport. Photo courtesy of Zech Papp
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