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Graham airport runway repair added to TxDOT CIP; council hears fuel-sales impacts and hangar RFP
Summary
City staff said TxDOT has programmed runway repairs into its capital improvement plan and that the shortened runway has reduced fuel sales and payload options for some aircraft. Council also heard about an RFP for the airport maintenance hangar and upcoming aviation events.
City Manager Eric and airport staff told the Graham City Council that the state is programming repairs for the airport runway into its capital improvement plan and that Parkhill’s cost estimate should be complete within about 10–12 days.
The council heard that the field’s usable length had effectively been shortened from 5,000 feet to about 4,200 feet for some operations, a change that has not stopped larger aircraft but has reduced how much fuel some jets can carry. Airport staff said that at 4,200 feet some jets can operate but must limit fuel or payload depending on weather, runway contamination and aircraft performance; that limitation has reduced fuel sales at the airport.
Eric said he received an “encouraging” call from TxDOT and that the runway repair has been programmed into TxDOT’s CIP. He said Parkhill had not yet received a notice to proceed on an airport-layout-plan contract; TxDOT’s aviation-division director must sign the contract and staff indicated that can add delay.
On airport business-development items, staff reported receipt of an RFP response from Josiah Barrett for use of the aircraft maintenance hangar; city legal and staff are reviewing a draft contract. Staff also previewed upcoming aviation visitors: U.S. Air Force Academy cadets and aircraft are expected March 12–17, and the Lone Star Aerobatic Championship will use the airport in April–May with public events planned in May.
Airport staff and council said they will monitor Parkhill’s estimate and follow up with TxDOT on the contract so work can proceed; no council vote was required on the reports.
