Airport leaders outline runway grooving, tower rehab and hangar occupancy timelines

City staff updated the Springdale City Airport Commission on three active capital projects — runway grooving and seal coat, tower rehabilitation and a new hangar — and on changes to tower funding and security systems.

Greg (projects staff) said the runway grooving operation is complete and that crews sealed cracks and left sealant slightly below surface to avoid debris pickup; grooving took multiple nightly closures (9 of 15 planned nightly closures completed) and the team expects a roughly two-week closure about a month from now to apply seal coat and remark runway markings. The runway project is funded by a 90/10 grant (90% FAA, 10% state); staff said most construction work is complete but that the seal coat and remarking will cause the runway appearance to look “ugly” until final markings are reapplied in May or June.

James (airport staff) told commissioners the Federal Aviation Administration has reclassified the airport’s tower cost-share rate after an annual review of operations; as a result, the federal government will cover the tower cost share at a higher percentage beginning May 1, which James estimated will save the airport roughly $65,000 a year. James said the airport previously paid about $5,440 per month toward tower costs.

On tower rehabilitation, staff said cable pulling and some construction will begin next Monday. The tower project has FAA funding for portions of the work; the meeting transcript indicates the city is holding state grant funds as contingency to address unknown conditions behind walls or ceilings (for example, if HVAC replacement becomes necessary). Staff said HVAC work is not eligible for FAA funding and would be funded from the state grant if required.

The new Powell hangar building has completed final inspections and staff expect the certificate of occupancy once the city issues final checks and the water line paperwork is transferred to Springdale Water; staff said they expect paperwork to be sent and a certificate of occupancy around April 1.

Commissioners and staff also discussed security and communications infrastructure. Staff provided quotes for keycard access and noted an estimated range of $5,000–$10,000 depending on whether Wi‑Fi is required at each keypad; a lower-cost option (requiring keypad programming at each location) was estimated nearer $5,000 while full digital keypads with Wi‑Fi would add roughly $45 per keypad per month in service fees. Commissioners discussed modern Wi‑Fi extenders and satellite options to extend connectivity across the field; staff cautioned that line-of-sight and metal hangars can limit wireless range and that some locations will require hardwiring.

Staff said they have improved camera coverage (a new multi-camera unit on the tower covers taxi lanes, ramp and parking) and reiterated that operations staff actively monitor for suspicious activity. Commissioners discussed the potential to involve the Springdale Police Department for camera access and to pursue grant funding for any needed consultant work to identify vulnerabilities.

The updates close out near-term construction planning: the runway has grooving complete and an anticipated seal-coat/remarking closure window about a month away; tower cable work is set to begin the following week under a phased approach intended to keep tower operations running; and the hangar should be cleared for occupancy pending final paperwork.