Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport looks to consultant to create plan for south side

Feb. 09--The Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport will contract with an outside firm to create a plan for development on the airport's south side.

Members of the airport authority board voted 4-1 Wednesday to develop a scope of work and prepare a contract for a development plan with Chicago-based Ricondo and Associates, an airport planning firm, at a cost not to exceed $10,000.

The plan should be done so the airport authority has a better idea of how the area should be built on once the $2.5 million project to develop 80 acres on the south side is complete, Commissioners Pat Nuxoll and Verl Long said.

Commissioner Chris Hayes was the sole vote against contracting with an outside firm. Planning needs to be done, but Hayes said he's not sure hiring a consultant is the route to take.

Wednesday's vote will eventually lead to a contract that would be used to create the development plan for the south side. Such a plan would help dictate what types of tenants should be allowed and how they should be divided based on factors such as market conditions, airport manager Robin Turner said.

Work under way at the south side includes piping water and sewer utilities to the area. A street off O'Connor Road between the former Lewiston Gun Club and Southport Avenue is also planned. The area is expected to be ready for construction next year.

Commissioners have said they want to look at a planned development of the south side to avoid a hodgepodge and maximize development. Any development plan would

focus on aviation but also allow places where non-flying businesses might be located.

Consultants will interview airport management, the authority board and others to put together their plan, Turner said.

"If the board wants a south side development plan I think this is a good way to get there," he said.

Also Wednesday, the authority voted 3-0 to approve a contract with Steve Carlton Construction to build a unisex bathroom in the airport's secure area at a price not to exceed $15,000. Authority board Chairman William McCann and Vice Chairman Mike Martin abstained from the vote because of a conflict of interest.

Gary may be contacted at [email protected] or (208) 848-2262.

Copyright 2012 - Lewiston Tribune, Idaho