Ocala approves design work for Alpha 12 hangar parcels and fuel-farm/wash-pad upgrades at airport

The city approved two airport infrastructure work orders intended to prepare developable parcels for private hangars and to improve airport fuel and vehicle support infrastructure.

Airport Director Matt Groh told council the first task work order would commission Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering, PLLC to design infrastructure for the Alpha 12 (A-12) development site: surveying, parceling multiple developable lots, and laying utility and taxiway/tarmac infrastructure so long-term ground leases (anticipated 40-year leases) can be offered to private developers. Groh said design funding is covered by a Florida Department of Transportation grant and that the airport advisory board recommended the work order.

Groh presented a second task work order for McFarland Johnson Inc. to design concrete pads for an expanded fuel farm, vehicle parking, and an aircraft wash rack that includes oil-water separation to prevent runoff. Groh said the pad work and the fuel expansion are funded through an FDOT grant; the city will build permanent infrastructure, and the airport’s fixed-base operator (Shelter Aviation) has procured additional tanks to occupy the expanded fuel area when completed.

Council members asked how parcels would be marketed. Groh said the city will advertise available parcels on the airport website with an application and financial review; a prospective hangar developer would select an available parcel and negotiate a ground lease and build-out details. On the fuel farm and wash pad, council clarified the wash rack will be publicly available on a first-come, first-served basis, while the fuel farm will initially be operated by the existing FBO unless another operator later installs infrastructure.

Both task work orders passed on roll-call votes recorded in the transcript. Staff listed next steps as final design, permitting, and then offering parcels and constructing the infrastructure.