July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Board seeks to boost $ (8/18/05)

Aviation board members plan to attend conference

By By Rachelle Haughn-

Members of the Portland Aviation Board are hoping a little time face-to-face with state and federal government officials will increase their chances for getting funding for future projects at Portland Municipal Airport.

Mike Evans, phase task manager for consulting firm Woolpert Inc. of Indianapolis, suggested Wednesday that the board consider making a presentation at the Aviation Association of Indiana’s annual fall conference, which will be held Oct. 11-13 near Angola.

The aviation association is a group which lobbies for funding for airport projects. The conference is comprised of workshops and meetings. The Indiana Department of Transportation aeronautics division commissioner and officials, state representatives’ staff members and Federal Aviation Administration officials typically attend the event.

Woolpert acquired the assets of Mid-States Engineering, for which Evans used to work, on Aug. 8.

Evans said Wednesday if a presentation is made during the conference, the chances of getting state and federal funding for the planned runway and taxiway extension projects and the new terminal building could increase. The ultimate goal would be for funds to be allocated in the 2007 state and federal budgets for the projects, he said.

The presentation should include information about Portland’s economic growth and the impact a new terminal building and the extension of the taxiway and runway would have on the community. It also should explain the projects and include cost estimates, Evans said.

“I think we can make (getting funding) happen,” Evans said.

The board also should try to gain support for the projects from Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier, officials from the FAA, state and U.S. lawmakers and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.

It would be best if these people could attend the conference, but letters of support would be helpful, Evans said.

Board president Glynn Barber said he would put together a computer-generated presentation and have it ready to show the other board members at the next meeting, which is Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 3:30 p.m.

Board members hope to extend the runway and taxiway west by 1,000 feet. A start date for the construction of the extensions, which currently are planned to be built at the same time, has not been set.

The project has been estimated to cost $1.36 million.

The board also would like to receive state and federal funding for a new terminal building. Board members want a more modern and better equipped facility, Evans said.

The board has two concepts for a new terminal building. The first option is to use the current building’s site, which is along the south side of county road 100 North, and raze the existing building. A new two-story building would be constructed and connected to the maintenance bay. This project could cost $1 million.

The second idea is to build a one-story building east of the existing terminal. This project would cost about $1.5 million.

Evans said the one-story building would cost more because a new parking lot would have to be made, along with a drive to get to the building from county road 100 North. If the new building is created where it currently stands, the existing parking lot could be used, along with the existing access to the terminal.

In a related matter, board members learned local appraiser Jim McCord is putting together a quote to do an appraisal of the approximately 76 acres needed for the runway and taxiway extension projects.

The board has already voted to hire Will L. Stump and Associates of Carmel to do the review appraisal of the land.

If hired, McCord would do the initial appraisal. Stump would then review McCord’s appraisal and come up with a separate appraisal.

State law requires that any municipal body planning to purchase property must obtain two appraisals. The purchase price cannot exceed the average of the two appraisals. This law would apply to any land the airport would purchase, Evans said.

Burrell Appraisal Service Inc. of Indianapolis previously submitted a quote of $16,500 to appraise the land, but many of the board members have said at previous meetings that the figure is high.[[In-content Ad]]
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