Posted: 4/26/05
Airport layout plans are finished
Commissioners considering two options
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
A major upgrade to the Houston County Airport moved a step forward at last weekís county board meeting.
Commissioners heard a detailed report on two Airport Layout Plans (ALP) from Matthew Wagner, an engineer for Mead & Hunt Inc. of Minneapolis.
The price tag was almost $3 million for alternative one and $1.5 million for alternative two. Federal funds would pay for 95 percent of the project.
Each plan had its pros and cons.
Alternative one would not require moving obstructions, and it would have a parallel taxiway. However, it has a higher initial cost, and it would require an environmental assessment that could take a year to complete.
Alternative two has a lower initial cost and would be easiest to implement. But it would require removing numerous obstructions, and land acquisition at near residences could be a challenge.
ìYouíre encroaching on your neighbor,î Wagner said, apparently referring to a farm to the west of the runway owned by Esther (Wheaton) Barth. The farm has been in Wheaton family since 1866.
Land acquisition is part of both plans, 61.5 acres in alternative one and 47.5 acres in alternative two. The estimated price per acre is $2,200.
Both plans call for a 3,500 foot runway. In alternative one, a new runway would be built at a shifted location, with the old runway serving as a full parallel asphalt taxiway. In alternative two, the present runway would be reconstructed.
Meade & Hunt is recommending alternative one because it would resolve the obstruction problems and bring the airport to current design standards. Wagner called it a much cleaner proposal. The total cost of this over 20 years is estimated at $3.9 million, with $242,750 paid by Houston County.
The ALP has a long-range goal of increasing the runway length to 4,000 feet, and is recommending that a fuel station used with a credit card be installed. Long-range plans for both alternatives also include a turf runway at a right angle to the present runway.
Commissioners did not make a decision last week, although two commissioners seemed to offer different perspectives.
Fifth district commissioner Tom Bjerke noted that the current is deteriorating. ìYouíre getting a $3 million airport for $150,000,î he said.
Second district commissioner Kevin Kelleher said that the cost per take off and landing would be about $81 based on projected usage figures. Duane Deters said it seemed ridiculous to come up with a figure like that. Not a soul is usually at the airport to count all the take offs and landings, he said.
Kelleher was also concerned about the commitment of federal dollars to the project. He said he would call the National Association of Counties to help him research that.
Commissioners asked that an open house be held so more public input could be gathered. That will take place on Monday, May 2 from 5-7 p.m. at the airport.
Wagner estimated that runway construction would not start until at least 2007 if a plan is approved soon.
Several members of the airport committee attended the meeting and spoke in favor of a new airport. Glenn Kinneberg noted that companies like UPS and FedX use the Houston County airport when La Crosse airport is fogged in.
The current airport is located 2-1/2 miles south of Caledonia at the intersection of Highways 76 and 44. It was built in 1968 after the county purchased 52 acres of land a year earlier. It first had a 3,100-foot long turf airstrip, and now has a 3,499-foot long asphalt runway.
Other business
ï Also at last weekís meeting, personnel director Tim Comstock told the board that Adam Eide had rescinded his offer to accept the position of sheriffís deputy. Eide will remain at his job as Rushford Police Officer. Comstock said he would readvertise for the position.
ï The board approved $16,626 for a new computer room air conditioning system.
Why a new airport?
A new airport is needed for several reasons, according to the people who worked on the Airport Layout Plan.
The pavement on the runway, taxiway, and apron has been rated as ìvery poorî by the Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics. On a scale of 0-100, the runway is ranked 12, taxiway 14, and apron 24.
The existing runway has numerous obstructions such as trees, hangars, lightpoles, a beacon, and a windmill. These need to be removed to meet Mn/DOT and FAA standards.
There is no parallel taxiway that would prevent the need to back-taxi on the runway.
Pavement strength would be increased from 10,000 to 12,500 pounds pounds for single-wheeled aircraft.
ìSomething needs to be done, otherwise weíre going to have safety issues,î Wagner said.
If the old runway was remilled and repaved, the county would have to pay for the project with probably no federal dollars, local pilot Dale Scobie said on April 22. Plus he feels there would be higher maintenance costs associated with this rather than having a new runway built using new technology and standards.
Caledonia Argus
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