Midland to FAA: Airpark will be Rebuilt with 'Modern' Facilities If Moved

Apr. 29—If the city of Midland gets approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to move its executive airport to Midland International Airport, Airpark will be rebuilt with new hangars and facilities, according to a letter sent to the FAA.

Mayor Patrick Payton sent a letter to the FAA on March 1 asking for guidance in relocating the airpark. In the letter, Payton notes that most hangars at the airpark are more than 30 years old and says the city plans to "design and build a new general aviation facility at Midland International based on current and future needs with modern, efficient, state-of-the-art hangars and other facilities."

Payton also states that maintaining one airport instead of two will save the city money. The two runways at the airpark will need "expensive rehabilitation" in the next five to 10 years, he says.

"Consolidating operations at Midland International will enable the city to focus on using these funds to maintain and improve the airfield infrastructure at our primary airport," he wrote. "Thus, these cost savings and efficiencies would be a substantial, ongoing benefit to the overall aviation community."

Additionally, moving the airpark would provide users with longer runways, an on-site air traffic control tower and greater security, according to Payton.

On April 13, the city council approved hiring the engineering firm Parkhill to analyze the feasibility of moving the executive airpark. The firm will look at the requirements outlined by the FAA and evaluate the cost of the project.

Payton said after that meeting that the council was "looking into" moving the airpark and seeing what opportunities there might be if that land was available for another purpose.

In the letter to the FAA, Payton says that the site would provide a "significant opportunity for important economic development" on Loop 250.

" Midland has experienced substantial population growth during the past 10 years and the lack of sufficient close-in space has required residential and commercial development to move beyond our 250 Loop ... commercial development and residential housing at the site would be far more consistent with the existing land uses in the surrounding area," he wrote.

Payton notes in the letter that obtaining the necessary approvals to relocate the airpark would be a lengthy process. City council members did not have a timeline for when the airpark would be moved, if approved, or for the completion of the $75,000 feasibility study.

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