Airport reports archaeological finds at church relocation site; SHPO review and artifact-recovery phase expected
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Staff said artifacts were uncovered at both the church property and the proposed school site for a church relocation project; the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and FAA are reviewing environmental documents and a phase‑3 artifact recovery (dig) appears likely before bids go out for construction.
Airport staff told the board that artifacts were uncovered during environmental review of a church relocation project tied to airport activities, and that cultural‑resource reviews are ongoing.
John Orazio said artifacts were discovered on both the church parcel and the parcel where a school is located, leading to what he described as a likely phase‑3 artifact recovery (a dig) before construction proceeds. He said the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Federal Aviation Administration are reviewing the environmental documents and must weigh in.
Design work for the new site is nearly complete and staff expected the project to go out for bid in early summer, but Orazio said the artifact‑recovery work and required agency reviews could affect that schedule. He said state funding was involved in the project and that additional rounds of state funding could be sought.
No formal board action was taken; staff will coordinate with SHPO and the FAA, complete the artifact recovery work as required, and adjust the project timetable before issuing bid documents.