By TIM UNRUH
Grants will pay for most of a $527,980 project to update the Salina Regional Airport’s master plan.
In a special meeting Wednesday, the Salina Airport Authority board accepted a $475,182 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration and a $26,399 grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation.
The airport authority’s share is 5 percent of the cost — $26,399.
The board also approved a $526,480 airport planning services contract with Coffman Associates of Lee’s Summit, Mo., to put the plan together.
Coffman will subcontract with three firms to complete portions of the project. Among those are Wilson & Company and H.W. Lochner, each with offices in Salina.
An airport master plan is a comprehensive study of an airport and describes the short-, medium- and long-term development projects necessary to meet current and future aviation demand, according to the airport authority’s agenda memorandum.
The airport’s current master plan, which is a requirement to qualify for FAA Airport Improvement Program grants, was completed in 1991. Runway improvements, such as lighting and paving, the air traffic control tower and the new fire station are results of that plan “to make the airport safer,” said Tim Rogers, the airport authority executive director.
“It’s time to go in and re-do the master plan,” he said.
The airport’s share of the cost is provided for in the 2012 budget. Coffman Associates will begin work on the master plan update next week, said part-owner Mike Dmyterko, who attended the meeting, and he expects to complete it in approximately a year.
The 5 percent local share “is definitely a bargain for you,” Dmyterko told the board.
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