Land acquisition is in the works for the Emporia Municipal Airport to meet new mandates set by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Emporia City Commission approved the purchase of two plots of land last week to create a “runway safety zone” on the north end. The Commission plans to acquire a third plot of land, however, no purchase has been made as of yet.
Public Works Director Frank Abart explains the effort is not simply an expansion or update, but a federally mandated project.
The total cost of the two purchases is estimated to $446,200. Abart says a 90-10 Federal Match Grant will help to aid in the purchase, as the FAA will pay for 90 percent of the costs and the City of Emporia will cover the remaining 10 percent.
Another project in the early discussion stage is an expansion of the runway on the south side of the airport. With over 6,000 takeoffs and landings during business hours and an additional 2,000 after business hours in 2017, Abart and City Manager Mark McAnarney expect those numbers to be even higher this year.
McAnarney explains a large amount of the traffic is from corporate officials flying in and through Emporia to conduct business. He adds, in order to keep the heavy traffic continuing through Emporia expanding the runway is a necessity.
Officially no decision has been reached on whether the expansion on the south end will take place. McAnarney expects the topic to be a major discussion point during the City Commission’s next meeting.
For more information visit www.emporia-Kansas.gov. or contact the City Clerk’s office at 620-343-4244.
