Saint Marys officials warn of airport runway funding shortfall; sign and pathway projects discussed

Council members and staff discussed a multi-million-dollar shortfall for repaving the City of Saint Marys airport runway and raised the need to pursue additional state and federal funding.

Airport representatives told the council the runway repaving is a roughly $2,000,000 project under current estimates and that, without additional funding, the city cannot complete more than a small portion of the work with existing airport-improvement money. A speaker at the meeting warned the runway's condition measures at the lower end of acceptable standards and said that if work is not completed within five years the estimated cost could rise to $3,000,000.

One councilor said the city will need support from state and federal legislators and the FAA to secure the additional funds. "We'll collect the information and [work with] the airport authority to see how we can assist getting federal money," a council member said.

The council also discussed a privately proposed sign for the airport industrial park and confirmed the approved city budget contains funds for signage. Planning staff said the sign would likely be placed at the entrance off Airport Road or at the corner of South Michael and Airport Road, subject to visibility and airport fencing constraints.

Councilors raised pedestrian access and a potential pathway between Saint Mary Street and the highway. Staff said the project was previously engineered and that new state funding programs make the project more feasible; staff indicated coordination with the school district on the project is possible and that the program application would be submitted when the funding round opens.

No formal airport funding appropriation or grant award was approved at the meeting; council members directed staff and the airport authority to pursue federal and state grant options and to gather information on potential matching funds and application timing.