Caledonia Argus

Repaving of airport runway is one step closer

Posted: 11/25/03

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

The repaving of the runway at the Houston County Airport is one step closer to reality.

A recommendation was made by the Houston County Airport Committee on November 17 to begin the process of creating an airport layout plan (ALP). The options for funding the ALP and its timeline will be investigated, and based on that information, the Houston County Board will make a decision on whether it will budget money to help pay for the plan.

An ALP is necessary before the runway can be repaved.

Because the runway is considered structurally failed, which means ìuse at your own risk,î discussion centered on two options: the state grant, which can start several months sooner and has as 70/30 cost share, or the federal grant, which starts later but has 90/10 cost share.

The earliest construction could begin is July of 2005.

Mark Schiltz of the Caledonia City Council told The Argus that he prefers the federal grant because it will cost less money.

The difference in the cost of the ALP also depends on the extent of the plan. County commissioner Ann Thompson said sheíd like a plan that focuses on bringing the airport into useable shape and then perhaps future expansion where the airport could be moved to a different site.

Allen Henke, county engineer for the highway department, said there isnít another site in the county for an airport.

John Klug of the Caledonia City Council said a comprehensive plan that creates a vision of the future will give the airport a goal to work towards. The ALP should be designed to illustrate the countyís options. ìIíd like to see fuel out there and an arrival and departure building. It doesnít have to be a big building,î he said.

John Falbo, representing Spring Grove, said you have to look beyond just the future. ìBefore you can scale back, you have to have a long range plan, what do you want 10 to 15 years?î

Vernon Fruechte, a pilot, noted that airline transportation is changing with freight transportation becoming bigger business. ìIf the airport is adequate and attracts business, it could provide jobs for the rural community,î he said.

Commissioner Nels Gulbranson asked about the condition of the airport.

Duane Deters, a pilot, responded, ìBy next year, weíll need a bid for someone to mow the black top.î

Falbo added, ìThe only good thing is there wasnít chunks of pavement coming at you (during landing).î

Discussion next centered on the formation of an airport commission. Commissioner Thompson said an airport commission would involve some funding from the cities that would be put in the line of studies.

Schiltz questioned the funding aspect, noting that people in the City of Caledonia were already paying county taxes, so if the cities were to help in funding, the people would be paying twice for the airport. He said, ìIt should be a fully funded county entity.î

Klug said he feels there is a lot of positive support for the airport, but questioned why the county is seeking funding support from the cities.

Bill Waller administrator of La Crescent questioned why the townships werenít represented in this airport commission because he knew of people who lived in the La Crescent township who used the airport too.

Thompson explained the reason the county began looking at different options for the airport.

ìThere was that feeling that itís a small group of people who benefit from the airport. In times of cuts, itís difficult to keep things. You start looking at everything and thatís what spurred this on.î

Falbo said it makes a lot of sense to have an airport commission. ìThen, you generate a lot more interest. Things would have been done a long time ago, because you would have an interested group of people.î

Thompson asked the group, ìIf we did form an airport committee, would cities be willing to send representation?î

Falbo responded, ìEven if the cities said no, Iíd say yes,î

Waller of La Crescent said La Crescent would probably send a representative.

Noting that it will cost over $300,000 to repave the runway, commissioner Gulbranson questioned, ìWould anyone be willing to kick in any money?î

Klug said they need to start the process of looking at the ALP plan before making that decision.

The next meeting for the airport has not yet been scheduled.

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