Van Mitchell

EDMOND — The Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport Board examined a feasibility study Wednesday that could lead to airport expansion.

The board met in a special meeting Wednesday at the Edmond Downtown Community Center to discuss the study conducted by Garver Engineers of Norman.

Chris Monroe of Garver Engineers told the board the primary purpose of the feasibility study was to compare three parcels of property for potential purchase to expand and accommodate hangar facilities.

Monroe outlined the various options Garver Engineers had proposed for each parcel of land labeled A, B and C and what costs were involved.

After lengthy discussion, board members agreed to place on the Dec. 8 meeting agenda a request to have the Guthrie City Council approve appraisals for Section A, a 10-acre parcel of property on the northwest side of the airport and Section B, a 21-acre parcel of land adjacent to the southwest end of airport property.

Monroe said the airport already owns Section C, a 40-acre area on the east side of the airport.

Board Vice Chairman Lamar Wade said he was pleased with the meeting’s outcome.

“I think (the meeting) was the most informative thing we have had in a long while,” Wade said. “We needed to lay it out with the options because we have been bouncing around on this property or that property. We finally got zeroed in. We need to start making something happen.”

Wade said the board cannot move forward until the initial appraisals and a required follow-up appraisal are completed. Once completed, the board could then move forward with possible negotiations with land owners for property acquisition.

“We don’t know how this thing is going to play out until we get the appraisals completed,” Wade said.

Board members also discussed what options were available for Section C and voiced support for keeping that property designated for commercial or industrial development.

Kay Wade with the Logan County Economic Development Council told the board if they decided to utilize the land for commercial development, LCEDC funds might be available to help with the project’s infrastructure.

“I think it’s a great way to utilize that part of the airport,” Kay Wade said.

Monroe also outlined the various alternatives for possible airport expansion in Sections A and B.

For section A, Monroe said the first project would allow for construction of six corporate/executive hangars, 27 individual box hangars and two T-hangar structures, which would accommodate up to 18 units.

The project also would include a new re-striping of the taxiway centerline at the northwest terminal point. This new realignment would provide ample space for larger wingspan aircraft to navigate in an area that is currently reserved for a maximum 44-foot wingspan.

The second alternative for Section A allows for construction of five T-hangar structures accommodating 36 units and 27 individual box hangars plus the re-striping of the taxiway centerline.

A third alternative provided for a combination of hangars along with the re-striping of the taxiway.

Curtis Brown of Garver Engineers told the board this project is estimated to cost between $4 million and $5 million for pavement/dirt work and infrastructure including water and sewer lines.

The actual construction of the hangars by a third-party contractor is estimated to cost between $6 million and $7 million.

Brown said funding for pavement and infrastructure work would come primarily from federal and state funds.

Board members also learned of options for the Section B property, which includes seven 100-foot by 100-foot hangars adjacent to a new apron for parking and navigation purposes; 20 corporate/executive hangars and 36 individual box hangars.

“There is ample room in (Section B) for various types of construction,” Monroe said.

A second option for Section B included five 100-foot by 100-foot hangars, 12 corporate/executive hangars, 28 individual box hangars and five T-hangars with 46 total units.

Brown estimated the project to cost between $10.4 million to $11.5 million. He said the third-party development cost is estimated between $12 million and $15 million.

After making their presentation, Brown told the board they will come back at a later date to present an updated land acquisition plan.

Lamar Wade said there was no firm timetable for each project, but said it was important to keep the land acquisition process moving.

“I wan to see what is best for the airport,” Wade sai