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Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority outlines expansion plans, cites $6 million federal aid for north apron
Summary
The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority told the Topeka governing body March 3 that it has a developer-backed maintenance hangar under lease, plans upgrades at Philip Billard Airport, and has about $6 million in federal funds to rehabilitate a north apron—moves officials said will spur jobs and development.
The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA) told the Topeka governing body on March 3 that it has a developer under lease to build a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hangar and has secured about $6 million in federal funds to rehabilitate a dilapidated north apron, officials said.
"We have approximately 50 to 55 employees," Eric Johnson, MTAA president and director of airports, told the council as he outlined staffing, revenue sources and past efforts to attract scheduled commercial service. Johnson said the authority relies on property tax, fuel revenue, rent and landing fees and is marketing available properties to both aeronautical and non-aeronautical tenants.
Curtis Sneeden, MTAA director of economic development, said the authority signed a lease in January with a developer who is building the MRO hangar "on spec" and expects there will be a subtenant before construction finishes. "As long as things stay on track, this hangar should be operational by the end of 2027," Sneeden said.
Sneeden also said a federal appropriation arranged with Senator Moran will provide about $6 million to begin rehabilitating the authority's "abandoned North Apron," work that will remove severely deteriorated concrete and open roughly 35 acres on the airport's north side for future aeronautical development.
At Philip Billard Airport, MTAA representatives reported a nearly completed flight academy building, plans to resurface access roads, continued perimeter fence work to improve security for higher-tech tenants, and a planned upgrade to the fuel system that would include a self-serve option for after-hours fueling.
Council Member Miller praised MTAA's progress and said the council supports the authority's recruitment and development efforts. Council members asked about available land; Sneeden said the industrial park contains roughly 170–200 shovel-ready acres and an additional parcel on the south end of Forbes of about 300 acres is available but not actively marketed.
MTAA did not request action from the council; the presentation concluded after questions and council comments. MTAA officials said their next steps include continuing airline recruitment and moving forward with the MRO hangar and apron rehabilitation projects.
