Board OKs plan for airport

Portland’s plan to improve its airport is headed to the feds for approval.

Portland Board of Aviation on Wednesday approved its five-year capital improvement plan for 2021 through 2025.

The plan, which is due to the Federal Aviation Administration by Feb. 1, amounts to a “wish list” for the airport for that time period. (For the FFA’s reference, it also includes worked projected for 2020.)

It includes the planned extension of the airport’s runway to 5,500 feet from the current 4,000 feet. That is expected to be completed in two phases in 2020 and 2021.

Bidding on contracts for the first phase of the runway extension is expected in June, with a contract to be awarded in late June or early July.

Plans for future years include expansion of the terminal apron, addition of a wildlife control fence and construction of a new hangar.

The plan estimates total costs for all improvements to cost more than $7.5 million. The plan requires FAA approval because such projects are typically funded 90%by federal funds, 5% from the state and 5% from the city.

In other business, board members John Lyons, Faron Parr and Clyde Bray, absent Mitch Sutton:

•Approved $4,235.05 in claims.

•Heard from airport manager Hal Tavzel that the facility sold 5,042 gallons of fuel for $20,330.46 in November. That’s down from 5,377 gallons last year.

•Was updated that the airport’s transition to natural gas is underway. A new furnace has also been installed.

•Heard about progress by three students who are using a training plane at the airport to learn how to fly. Airport manager Hal Tavzel said it’s exciting to see their progress.

Lyons added that it’s a “big deal” for the aiport to offer flight training.

•Thanked mayor Randy Geesaman for his work with the board during his tenure as mayor. His successor, mayor-elect John Boggs, was also in attendance. “You’ll be in good hands with John,” said Geesaman to the board.