Border Rack asks council to reverse airport hangar lease termination, says lack of communication prevented cure

Border Rack, a nonprofit that coordinates emergency medical and disaster supplies, asked the City Council on Sept. 16 to rescind the termination of a ground sublease at El Paso International Airport and allow the organization to cure alleged default conditions.

Wanda Helgeson, executive director of Border Rack, told council the organization has used hangar space at 6805 Boeing for 12 years to store mobile medical units, communication equipment and other disaster supplies that assist hospitals and emergency medical services. She said airport staff informed Border Rack in July 2023 that the lease required an aeronautical use. Acting on direction from airport staff, Border Rack purchased and registered a drone with the FAA, obtained certified pilots and notified the city, she said. Helgeson said the organization received no substantive response for 188 days and later a notice of default; after further outreach she said the group received a termination notice 257 days later despite repeated attempts to comply.

Rob Campion, a longtime EMS professional, said the hangar’s proximity to runways is strategically important for rapid response and that losing the lease would disrupt regional preparedness. Both speakers asked council to intervene with airport management and to allow Border Rack to remain while compliance issues are resolved.

Council did not vote on the request during the meeting. Speakers asked for the council’s help in facilitating communication and restoring the sublease to enable Border Rack’s continued disaster‑response role in the region.