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Eugene committee presses for coordinated airport expansion strategy and FAA briefings
Summary
IGR members asked staff for clearer FAA coordination and a council briefing on Eugene airport expansion; staff said prior FAA grants have been executed and recommended targeted briefings with the airport director ahead of the fall feasibility study.
Eugene’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee spent significant time on May 6 discussing city strategies for airport expansion funding and federal coordination, pressing staff for a clear plan to protect and advance pending grants and earmark requests.
Councillor Evans opened the exchange by asking how “solid” the city’s position is with the Federal Aviation Administration on concourse and apron work, referencing a prior grant hiccup. “If Katherine’s got it, she’s got it,” Evans said, expressing cautious confidence in the airport staff while asking whether the committee should add an advocacy channel.
Staff (Ethan) replied that the United Front delegation had not met FAA staff on the trip, that previously paused FAA grant actions have since been executed, and that the city has pursued both Airport Improvement Program grants and a $3 million congressionally directed spending request on the airport one‑pager. He recommended staff coordinate with airport director Katherine Stevens for technical briefings and to flag priorities ahead of the next United Front trip.
Brooke Freed (Chief of Staff) told the committee the council will receive the feasibility study findings in the fall and suggested that if the airport director believes a targeted IGR briefing would be useful, staff will arrange it. Committee members asked to be notified with adequate lead time so elected officials can engage with federal and agency partners as needed.
Staff said internal coordination among airport leadership, public works, city manager’s office and communications is underway to map advocacy and implementation steps for what may be among the city’s largest capital projects.
Next steps: staff will follow up with Katherine Stevens to determine whether an IGR briefing is warranted, share an update for the next monthly meeting, and schedule any site or technical briefings the committee requests.
