CAA: GA News, "Study to continue on proposed Iowa airport"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Wednesday, January 9, 2002

Study to continue on proposed airport
By MADELAINE JEROUSEK
The Des Moines (IA) Register


Adel, Ia. - Dallas County will seek further study of whether an airport
is practical for the fast-growing area.

Dallas County's supervisors voted Tuesday to support a grant application
to the Iowa Department of Transportation that would pay for the next
phase of the study, expected to cost about $160,000.

Dallas County will contribute up to $50,000 to the study if the grant
application is approved. City governments that indicate interest in the
project could share in the cost.

The supervisors also decided to become part of an airport oversight
committee that will be involved in future research and planning.

A private study completed in December indicated that southeastern Dallas
County and western Polk County offer enough growth potential to support
a regional airport for small planes, similar to the Ankeny airport. The
airport could be built in the next four to five years on about 400 acres
between Adel and Waukee. It is expected to cost $10 million to $15
million, of which the Federal Aviation Administration would pay 90
percent.

"We're a long way from deciding to build an airport," said consultant
Terry Lutz of McClure Engineering. "We know that our findings say it is
feasible."

The next phase will take about a year to complete and would offer a more
detailed analysis of where an airport would be located and who would
paid for it.

At least nine cities, including West Des Moines, Waukee, Clive and
Urbandale, have expressed interest in the project, Lutz said.
Consultants will visit city councils over the next month to ask for
support.

Dallas County Supervisor Marvin Shirley said Tuesday that surrounding
cities' interest is crucial to the proposal.

"I don't think Dallas County is looking at funding this alone," he said.
"If the other cities aren't interested in an airport, then it probably
doesn't make sense."


   Post your opinion on this story in the CAA General Aviation Forum
http://www.californiaaviation.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?conf=DCConfID2

*****************************************