Durant approves grant‑funded airport projects including tower siting study and hangar design

The Durant City Council and the Airport Authority approved multiple airport projects tied to state and federal grants, officials said.

Airport Director Dennis Godfrey told trustees and council members the city will contract with KSA Engineers for an air traffic control tower siting study and related design work. The Authority approved a professional‑services agreement for the siting study (listed at $250,522.25) and accepted an Oklahoma Aeronautics grant for $257,522 to fully fund the work. Godfrey said the firm includes a team member with FAA experience who will coordinate site selection with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The council also approved a separate $171,260 KSA agreement for preliminary engineering of a South Hangar Complex over a fallow taxiway to encourage private hangar development. Godfrey described the project as subsidized box hangars intended to attract further private investment and said the effort includes FAA and state matching funds.

Council members approved a $196,985 design‑phase agreement with KSA Engineers for a terminal apron expansion and taxiway relocation, noting the airport has limited apron parking and growing demand. Staff reported the city’s share of that project is small (packet shows a $9,849 local match) and that construction would start in 2027 after a design phase.

Each item passed on motions and roll‑call votes after brief discussion about timelines and grant match requirements. Godfrey said the tower siting study is expected to run through the end of the year; the apron construction timeline was estimated to begin in 2027, with construction duration to be determined.

The council approved the airport items at both the Airport Authority and city‑council levels, following standard inter‑agency procedure for airport governance.