After lengthy debate, airport authority approves sale of industrial park to private developer

The Chickasha Municipal Airport Authority approved a contract for sale of approximately 320 acres of airport-adjacent land after extended debate and a presentation from developer Chet Hitt.

Trustees discussed an initial motion to postpone consideration indefinitely, questioned whether competitive bidding was required, and sought clarity about title and prior city investments. After the postponement motion was debated and put to a roll call, trustees returned to a different motion that moved to approve a contract for sale to the named buyer (recorded in the meeting as Ohette/O'Hick Corporation). The council and airport-trust staff described steps already taken to update property abstracts and resolve FAA compliance issues so the airport could market the property.

Developer Chet Hitt gave a lengthy on-the-record presentation describing plans to subdivide the property into roughly 128 industrial lots with an initial phase of about 13 lots, build some spec shell buildings, and market the park to manufacturing and distribution firms (including outreach to state commerce and national clients). Hitt repeatedly emphasized private financing and local contractors, said he would perform an extended due diligence period (he requested six months) to confirm water, sewer and utility capacity, and said much of the infrastructure cost would be his responsibility.

Council and airport staff pressed Hitt on technical feasibility — whether sewer lines and water mains extend through the property, lift-station capacity, and FAA building-height limits near the runway. Staff said a sewer main runs along Airport Road but does not extend through the entire parcel and that lift-station connections exist on the west side; water mains and hydrants were present at the entrance. Hitt said these details formed part of his due-diligence assessment and that the contract should include a standard due-diligence/inspection period allowing the buyer to terminate and recover earnest money if key conditions were not met.

Trustees discussed whether the city should require a public auction or competitive process, and whether proceeds should be placed into a restricted fund for airport improvements; staff noted that prior local projects had included infrastructure investment to make the property marketable but that the city lacks the resources to build spec buildings itself. After amendments clarifying the trust purpose and confirming the authority’s determination that the land was no longer required for trust purposes, trustees approved the purchase contract. Staff said closing and possession timing would follow the contract terms and that the buyer’s due-diligence period gives the buyer the ability to terminate prior to closing if inspections are unsatisfactory.

Outcome: The Airport Authority approved the contract to sell the industrial-park property to the private developer, with standard due-diligence protections in place and the expectation the buyer will investigate infrastructure capacity prior to closing.