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SWAAAE: Airport News, "City airport project gets support from MnDOT chief"
Thursday, July 1, 1999
City airport project gets support from MnDOT chief
By David Little
West Central Tribune
WILLMAR 7/1/99 - Minnesota's highest transportation official has pledged
continued support from the state for development of a new Willmar municipal
airport.
The support came from Commissioner of Transportation Elwyn Tinklenberg
during a news conference and meeting Wednesday afternoon with city
officials, members of the City Council and Airport Commission, airport
staff, legislators, pilots, reporters and others.
Tinklenberg, the new transportation commissioner under Gov. Jesse Ventura,
was in Willmar as part of a two-month swing through Minnesota to become
familiar with transportation issues around the state.
Before Tinklenberg gave his remarks, City Planning and Development Director
Bruce Peterson asked the Department of Transportation to continue its
commitment to the project "and work with Willmar to develop a 'showcase'
aviation facility, which will serve the needs of the Willmar area well into
the future.''
He said the city believes the new airport is worthy of showcase status, due
to its regional significance and standing in the statewide system. He said
facilities and technology at the present airport, opened in 1934, are
inadequate and don't meet the needs of users. The council acknowledged these
shortcomings nearly 10 years ago when planning for a new airport began, he
said. A site one mile west of the present airport has been selected for the
new airport.
Speaking just inside the main Willmar airport hangar, Tinklenberg said the
department was proud to be a partner with the city. Tinklenberg said
Ventura, his boss, is kind of an impatient person.
"I have heard him say, 'We study this stuff too long. It's time to do
something.' I'm excited to hear where you are in the process, that the
studies are about to be wrapped up and get into the ground, and I'm looking
forward to that happening and to the continuing partnership between MnDOT
and the city and the region in making that a reality,'' said Tinklenberg.
He was impressed with Willmar's planning for the future "in the kind of way
that the governor's been talking about, which is multi-modal. We're not
going to have a single system that's going to move our people, our products
and our services in the future. It's going to have to be a variety of
services working together.''
He said time will be spent looking at the importance of linking regional
centers like Willmar around the state. He said reducing the transportation
time to get products to markets keeps the state competitive.
"That's why these kind of improvements and the linkages that they provide
are so important because it gives us that competitive edge, and the
investments we're making in our airports, highways, waterways, electronic
communications and railroads are investments in Minnesota's future that keep
us competitive and keeps our businesses strong and maintains the strength
and vitality of regions like Willmar,'' he said.
Planning and developing consensus to make this possible is not easy, said
Tinklenberg, directing his comments to Mayor Les Heitke. But Tinklenberg
said the new airport presents a tremendous opportunity for commercial
aviation, and access to businesses and markets in the state and nation.
One of the best growth management strategies for the metropolitan area, he
said, is to make sure people can live well in smaller cities such as
Willmar.
"I believe that's got to be a part of the thinking state-wide, that as long
as we can help support the vitality, the dynamic growth that's occurring in
these kinds of regional centers, we're stronger as a state and there is less
and less pressure on the metropolitan area to provide all of the services,''
he said.
Tinklenberg said this area of the state is fortunate to have legislators who
are concerned about transportation in the Legislature. "That's not true
everywhere in Minnesota,'' he said.
The Willmar project has other advocates. During his remarks, Ray Rought,
director of MnDOT's Office of Aeronautics, cited former council member
Richard Halterman for his continued interest in the project.
Halterman, chairman of the recently formed Willmar Airport Commission, is a
member of the Minnesota Council of Airports and has kept the project alive
before officials in St. Paul, according to Heitke.
"I like to know where our project is,'' Halterman told the Tribune. "They've
really cooperated.''
Rought said the new Willmar airport is estimated to cost $15 million. He
said $9.8 million will be paid by the federal Airport Improvement Program,
$1.2 million by the State Airports Fund, and $1.9 million from the State
Hangar Loan Accountant.
Heitke said the local share is estimated at $1.5 million to $2 million,
depending on grant amounts and final costs. The council has set aside
$150,000 a year for the past five years for the airport. When all studies
are complete and ground is broken in 2002, a substantial part of the city's
portion will already be in the bank, he said. The remainder would be covered
by an internal transfer of funds or a bond issue.
After the new airport is built, the old 280-acre airport will be sold for
business and industrial development.
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Willmar airport highlights
Officially dedicated and opened on 110-acre site in 1934. Site now occupies
280 acres.
In 1939-40, field lighting and a beacon were added.
A 100-foot-by-144-foot hangar built in 1941.
In 1945, businessman John Rice and wife Mary Jane take over airport
operations for the next 38 years. Other improvements made over the years.
Planning for a new airport begins in 1989. Site one mile west of present
airport selected after six-year search.
City retains engineers in 1996 to prepare master plan and layout plan. MnDOT
and Federal Aviation Administration approve plans in mid-1998.
Environmental review of proposed site begins in early 1998. Federal approval
is expected.
Willmar Airport Commission appointed in early 1999 to guide airport
operations, and to assist in planning for new site.
Proposals for relocation and construction to be sought in summer of fall of
1999.
Construction in 2002. Plans include 5,500-foot paved primary runway and
3,200-foot paved cross-wind runway, terminal building, hangars and fueling
facilities.
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