Oklahoma Nears Settlement to Recover Funds from Afton Airport

The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission is nearing an agreement that would settle a legal dispute over the Grand Lake Regional Airport in Afton, said commission Executive Director Victor Bird last week.

Bird told members of the commission at their January meeting that negotiators appear to be close to settling the case.

The state agency had sued the Monkey Island Development Authority for selling the airport to a private developer after more than $1 million in state and federal grant money had been invested in the facility.

The authority sold the airport in an attempt to pay off debts accumulated over more than five years of litigation involving rival developers.

The area features high-dollar homes and condominiums, golf courses, and a resort. Bird said the development authority couldn't just turn around and sell the facility to a private developer after making extensive use of public dollars for renovations.

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