Port of Olympia staff shared updates on the progress of several capital improvement projects at the Olympia Regional Airport this year.
Capital Assets Program Manager James Sommer presented these updates to the Port of Olympia Commission on Monday, June 24.
Most improvements at the airport depend on which engineering firm the port contracts to work on the projects.
Airport Senior Manager Chris Paolini told the commission in an earlier meeting this June that 10 firms responded to the port’s proposal request. Port staff will recommend a contract for their chosen contractor in July, covering several five-year task orders.
This year, the contractor will work on four projects listed under the airport’s 2024 capital improvement plan.
These projects include the reconstruction or repair of runway 8/26 and associated lighting replacements and the rehabilitation design of runway 17/35.
For runway 8/26, Sommer explained that they want to reassess the runway to determine if they need to reconstruct it or conduct repairs fully. The port has budgeted $250,000 for this project.
The port has also budgeted $500,000 to replace the airfield’s lighting regulators and $135,000 to replace the runway’s pilot-controlled lighting system. According to Sommer, both systems are failing. The port aims to fund 90% of the costs of both replacements through grant funding.
The design process for runway 17/35 will begin in winter, with most of the work this year focusing on environmental review. The port has budgeted $75,000 for the design, which will be reimbursed next year through a grant program.
The airport’s capital improvement plan also includes other projects staff have started working on.
The purchase of an unleaded aviation gas tank and fuel truck is almost complete. Sommer said that the truck is currently being modified so that it can start delivering fuel to planes.
The tank and fuel truck were budgeted at $500,000, with grant money funding $450,000 of the costs.
Sommer added that they will close in on a bid for a roof replacement for the Washington State Patrol hangar building on Old Highway 99. The roof is being replaced because the top layer is past its useful life. Sommer said that they aim to get the replacement done before the fall. The project costs $400,000.
The airport is also getting two electric vehicles for airport operations. The vehicles are estimated to cost $173,800, 90% of which will be covered by a grant.
The airport will also look to acquire a $60,000 snowplow to clear the runway after heavy snowstorms.
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Snevets
Heavy snowstorms?!
2 days ago Report this
FirstOtter
Let's just decommission the airport completely. An awful lot of money is spent on what is the publicly funded playground for a relatively few wealthy private aircraft owners. I see the need for the heliport-for firefighting helicopters as well as air evac-and I can even see allowing the Museum to stay in place. But all the rest of it?
Let's make that airport..which is funded by my property taxes...let's turn the airport into a playground for all of us. Let's turn it into a Recreation center. Put in a soccer pitch, a softball field, a covered arena for horse shows, an off leash dog park, a picnic area near the trees, a skate park for the kids, a running track/parcours. The runways would be a dandy site for car shows/trade shows. The hangars could be used for small businesses, storage of County equipment, etc.
I find it suspicious that the Port wants a snowplow for 'heavy snowfalls'. It smells of bait and switch.. The only need for a snowplow is to plow runways for big jets..cargo jets from Amazon and passenger jets from Seattle. Nice try, port.
2 days ago Report this
Boatyarddog
I believe some of the expenditures mentioned here should be put off until it is determined when, if at All, an airport is going to be built. It is wasting alot of money that could be better used for the Budd Bay projects.
As some of these funds come from Fed. Grants those funds could not be reappropriated to the Ports Ongoing Pollution cleanup.
We need to hear from our Commissioners when the Proposed Airport plan is to be presented. Replacing Hangar roofs because "the top layer is past is useful life" not good planning if a new airport is going to be built.
I would like our Port planners get the Message.... STOP WASTING TAX MONEYS ON NEW PROJECTS!
Lets get the Bay Cleaned up because it is The Most Important Project Right Now.
2 days ago Report this
Boatyarddog
And i Agree with First Otters Plan.
Great Idea!
2 days ago Report this
Boatyarddog
And i Agree with First Otters Plan.
Great Idea!
2 days ago Report this
JanWitt
The slide indicates that some of the proposed projects are to be primarily funded by grants. Most federal grants for airport projects come with strings attached – 20-year obligations that significantly limit local control over things such as types and numbers of aircraft allowed to utilize the airport, hours of operation, etc.
Port of Olympia Commissioners should decline federal grant money for airport projects that limit local control, as officials in a growing number of other airport communities have done / are doing.
Revenue derived from things such as sales of aviation fuel and New Market and airport rental fees and leases should be sufficient to fund airport maintenance costs.
While incrementally expanding the airport footprint and infrastructure over the years to accommodate growth, the Port has failed to adequately consider adverse impacts of increased flights on our community, such as impacts on local climate mitigation plans, on public health, on wildlife, and on residential property values, etc. Information that has been released thus far about the upcoming Airport Master Plan Update indicate plans to forge ahead with a new commercial passenger terminal with 500 parking spaces and room for more, taxiway changes which would increase capacity, runway refurbishing (most likely to include strengthening to accommodate heavier aircraft), an area for aircraft deicing, a new turf runway and more.
The Olympia airport is located only about 5 miles south of downtown Olympia. Flight paths of low-flying aircraft go over nearby residential neighborhoods, schools and parks to the north as well as a State Park and wildlife refuges to the south. Flights have increased in recent years (due, in part to flight school and recreational aircraft based at the airport that often fly in circles overhead as well as to the extraordinary numbers of helicopters allowed to utilize the airport.) New flight paths have been created. Once quiet residential neighborhoods and pristine parks are now being inundated with aircraft noise, particularly on clear-weather days.
We do not need more aircraft flying over Thurston County. Alternatives to air transport, such as rail, should be promoted.
Please urge Port Commissioners to decline federal grant funding for airport projects that comes with stings attached that relinquish local control.
2 days ago Report this