Airport continues progress in down economy: New master plan could affect nearby development
By Jay Patrick, Herald Journal
Published: Friday, October 2, 2009 12:34 PM CDT
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Terrible economic conditions have squashed hopes of commercial service coming to Logan-Cache Airport anytime soon, but the airport is working to be sure it’s set to serve a carrier when things turn around.
A new taxiway that can handle big passenger jets is under construction.
The $550,000 project, paid for primarily with a state grant, will rebuild a 1950s-era, 2,000-foot taxiway that is breaking down because of age and because it’s only designed to support 12,500 pounds — the big jets that occasionally land in Logan put big stress on the feeble asphalt, said Rich Stehmeier, the airport manager.
A few years ago, local government and airline officials worked to bring commercial service to Cache Valley — perhaps connecting to regional hubs like Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix and Las Vegas — but nothing panned out, despite much hype.
Since then, airport officials have continued to talk with potential carriers.
Stehmeier figures improvements like the taxiway and the addition of an Instrument Landing System in 2007 are putting the airport in a better position to land a carrier when the economy perks up.
“We have most of the facilities we need,” said Gar Walton, a member of the airport board. “Now we just need the economy.”
In addition to the economy turning around, the development of an Airport Master Plan figures prominently in the facility’s future.
The Airport Master Plan, in development since 2007, is now finished and is set to come before the Logan Planning Commission on Oct. 22.
The plan not only spells out the airport’s future development but also recommends what sorts of developments should and should not happen around the facility. At some airports, residential and commercial areas built nearby have limited operations and made it harder to secure FAA funds.
“We want to protect the airport,” Stehmeier said.
With a master plan in place, the airport can try for FAA money to pay for upgrades.
“If it’s not planned, the FAA won’t pay for it,” Stehmeier said. “This is a big, big thing for us.”