The Lawrence Municipal Airport may be adding to its already significant economic impact on the city.
If passed, a proposal to the City of Lawrence to construct new t-hangars, or aircraft garages, would draw hangar occupants from outside Douglas County. The Aviation Advisory Board created the proposal.
"This addition would attract economic dollars into the county," said Rick Bryant,
Aviation Advisory Board chair. "People will come from all over
northeast Kansas."
A waiting list for hangar space prompted the proposal, starting immediately after the construction of the existing t-hangars in 2003. The list is currently close to 40 individuals, 80 percent of whom live outside Douglas County. The proposed plan includes the construction of two new buildings with 10 t-hangars each and five single units for twin-engine aircraft. This would more than double the amount of available space.
"We consistently have a 95-percent occupancy," Bryant said. "It's great to have a business where you're full on the first day and already starting a waiting list. We're booked solid."
A booked airport brings significant revenue to the city. A study by the Kansas Department of Transportation in 1990 showed that the airport stimulates $9 million to $10 million of revenue per year within Lawrence aside from the income accumulated from rental fees. The study will be completed again in late 2009 or early 2010, and the board predicts the numbers have increased to $15 million to $16 million per year.
"People will drive in from Johnson County, fill up their planes with gas from our airport, go into town and eat at restaurants or go shopping," Bryant said. "For KU home games, people will fly in and stay the night." Bryant said that KU basketball games will draw 10-15 business jets in one night, and the bigger the game, the busier the terminal. "It's those types of economic implications we look for to sustain our airport."
The proposed t-hangars will be identical to the existing ones, above.
Photo: Alyssa Rainbolt
Chuck Kellerman, a consultant from the Airport Development Group in Denver, visited the board's Oct. 22 meeting with drawings and plans for the construction. The total cost is projected at $1.5 million. This figure is double the original projected cost, but the board is determined to move forward with the project with the high demand for hangar space in mind.
"If we build hangars, people will fill them, no doubt in my mind," said Bob Newton, board member.
In order to fund this project, the board hopes to utilize rental fee revenue from the existing hangars. This will require approval from the city commission.
"It makes sense," said Tom Rainbolt, board member and aircraft owner. Rainbolt said that the city will have to agree to take revenue from an already funded project to pay for a new one. He also said the Federal Aviation Administration says that the revenue must be reserved for airport use.
"It's good news," Rainbolt said. "We've just got to convince our city."
After a final visit from Kellerman in December with the finalized plans, the board will be ready to present the proposal to the city commission in January.
If passed, a proposal to the City of Lawrence to construct new t-hangars, or aircraft garages, would draw hangar occupants from outside Douglas County. The Aviation Advisory Board created the proposal.
A waiting list for hangar space prompted the proposal, starting immediately after the construction of the existing t-hangars in 2003. The list is currently close to 40 individuals, 80 percent of whom live outside Douglas County. The proposed plan includes the construction of two new buildings with 10 t-hangars each and five single units for twin-engine aircraft. This would more than double the amount of available space.
"We consistently have a 95-percent occupancy," Bryant said. "It's great to have a business where you're full on the first day and already starting a waiting list. We're booked solid."
A booked airport brings significant revenue to the city. A study by the Kansas Department of Transportation in 1990 showed that the airport stimulates $9 million to $10 million of revenue per year within Lawrence aside from the income accumulated from rental fees. The study will be completed again in late 2009 or early 2010, and the board predicts the numbers have increased to $15 million to $16 million per year.
"People will drive in from Johnson County, fill up their planes with gas from our airport, go into town and eat at restaurants or go shopping," Bryant said. "For KU home games, people will fly in and stay the night." Bryant said that KU basketball games will draw 10-15 business jets in one night, and the bigger the game, the busier the terminal. "It's those types of economic implications we look for to sustain our airport."
The proposed t-hangars will be identical to the existing ones, above.Photo: Alyssa Rainbolt
Chuck Kellerman, a consultant from the Airport Development Group in Denver, visited the board's Oct. 22 meeting with drawings and plans for the construction. The total cost is projected at $1.5 million. This figure is double the original projected cost, but the board is determined to move forward with the project with the high demand for hangar space in mind.
"If we build hangars, people will fill them, no doubt in my mind," said Bob Newton, board member.
In order to fund this project, the board hopes to utilize rental fee revenue from the existing hangars. This will require approval from the city commission.
"It makes sense," said Tom Rainbolt, board member and aircraft owner. Rainbolt said that the city will have to agree to take revenue from an already funded project to pay for a new one. He also said the Federal Aviation Administration says that the revenue must be reserved for airport use.
"It's good news," Rainbolt said. "We've just got to convince our city."
After a final visit from Kellerman in December with the finalized plans, the board will be ready to present the proposal to the city commission in January.
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