Airport continues checking projects off of to-do list
DUNBAR TWP. – During the past two years, the Connellsville Airport has taken on a new look with a number of completed projects, but even more improvements are in store. Fayette County Airport Authority consultant Gene Lakin recently presented an outline of recently completed projects. They include the master plan update; Phase I of the storm water system construction; rehabilitation of the access road and aircraft apron; rehabilitation of pilot control lighting, runway end identifier lights and electric vault; and acquisition of snow removal equipment. Lakin is executive director of the Westmoreland County Airport who is contracted with the authority.
Additionally, the authority is proceeding with construction projects at the airport with a price tag of more than $4 million. Lawmakers on every level have agreed to pitch money into the pot for the projects, which are part of a master plan that includes a new terminal building and runway extension.
At the authority’s meeting last week, resolutions for 10 projects were approved. The local share for the $4,372,279 projects amounts to $295,650.
Although many of the projects are funded using state and federal grant funds, Lakin said it is important to remember that the money is generated from “user taxes” such as aviation fuel and ticket sale funds, not general taxes.
“Every dollar you bring into Fayette County is a real feather in your cap,” Lakin told the board. Board member Jesse Wallace said the fact that the airport is getting a lion’s share of money now is a credit to the board and what its members are doing.
One new project is the design of a general aviation terminal, which includes $225,000 in state grant funds and a $75,000 local match. The building will include offices, a reception area, lounge and meeting rooms. The 6,000-square-foot building will be constructed near the old Taylor Craft building, which will be converted into a covered parking area.
The authority also voted to accept a state grant for the building. There is currently not a general aviation terminal at the airport.
During the operations report, maintenance supervisor Samuel L. Cortis said that after seeking donations to rehabilitate the existing FBO (fixed base operator), a total of $7,500 in donations was received. That figure includes $5,000 from Joe Hardy and $2,500 from Robert E. Eberly.
Cortis said he would like to rehabilitate the bathrooms inside the building, including installation of a new floor, fixtures, ceiling tile and carpet if enough money is available. Cortis said he would like to have the work done before the upcoming PGA golf tournament at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in September.
The authority approved a $92,000 project with a $4,600 local match for a cost benefit analysis for the runway improvement. Plans are to extend the current 3,800-foot runway to a length of 4,500 feet by 2008.
In similar resolutions, the authority approved two motions for completion of the final phase of an environmental assessment. One project has a $522,600 cost with $26,130 in local funds, and the other costs $301,179, including $15,059 in local funds.
The authority voted to proceed with Phase II construction of three infrastructure projects: sewer system, water system and storm water projects. The sewer system project will cost $427,500, including $23,750 in local funds; the water system will cost $459,000, including $25,500 in local funds and the storm water project will cost $180,000, including $10,000 in local funds.
A resolution was approved to proceed with a $2 million project, with an $111,111 local match, to acquire land, runway extension and improvements. Donald A. Stephanik, senior airport engineer for McCormick, Taylor & Associates Inc., said the pre-application for the final phase of the runway improvements was crucial to meet a September 2004 date for design. He said the fieldwork has to be completed this summer or the final design can’t be completed next year.
The other projects include $40,000 for crack sealing the runway/taxiway/apron, including $2,000 of local funds and $50,000 to remove obstructions per the 2002 inspection, including $2,500 in local funds.