Airport authority details Davcon hangar, apron rehab and plans to court airlines

The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority told Shawnee County commissioners on March 23 that it has signed a lease with Davcon Aviation to build a large wide‑span maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hangar at Forbes/Topeka Regional Airport and is moving forward on multiple airfield and airport‑side projects while continuing airline recruitment efforts.

Curtis Steven, who introduced the authority’s update, said Davcon has committed to construct a hangar large enough for widebody aircraft and that construction could be under way this year with the facility operational by late 2027 if the authority and developer stay on schedule. "We have a signed lease," Steven said. He added that once an end user occupies the hangar, the project could support "several hundred high‑paying airframe and power plant mechanics jobs." (Curtis Steven)

Eric Johnson, president and director of airports for the Topeka Airport Authority, described the authority’s portfolio and operations, including roughly 54–55 employees, on‑site police and fire/ARFF capabilities, maintenance crews, and the fixed base operator at Philip Billard Airport. Johnson said the authority has been pursuing commercial air service and credited a Shawnee County pledge of $500,000 to help fund a minimum revenue guarantee used to court carriers. "We’re talking again with more airlines — eight will meet with us next month," Johnson said. (Eric Johnson)

Funding for apron and site work: Steven and Johnson said the Kansas Department of Commerce previously appropriated $10 million to offset construction costs for apron and site preparation. They also said the recent federal budget includes roughly $6 million to begin rehabilitation of about 35 acres of the north apron, money they expect will make more developable parcels available for private hangars and other aeronautical businesses. The presenters credited Senator Jerry Moran’s advocacy for the federal funding. (Curtis Steven, Eric Johnson)

North apron and hanger 619: The authority described the north apron as heavily deteriorated — the presentation characterized parts of the apron as having two feet of concrete and sections too damaged for jet operations — and said the rehabilitation work will be targeted rather than a full replacement of all apron surfaces. Steven said the developer is proceeding while environmental and historic reviews proceed for an existing structure known as hanger 619. He told the board that the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) judged hanger 619 likely eligible for historic listing, which triggered a required FAA environmental assessment and a memorandum of agreement process to record the building’s historical significance while permitting removal if necessary.

Steven said the authority and federal officials are working with SHPO and local stakeholders, including the Combat Air Museum, to document historic features and preserve a record while allowing development. The authority indicated the process could add weeks to months to the timeline but said the developer has a Plan B and that a mid‑summer decision point is likely if approvals lag. (Curtis Steven)

Philip Billard Airport projects: At Philip Billard Airport the authority reported near completion of a perimeter fence (8 ft chain link with barbed wire), installation plans for a self‑service fuel system to serve pilots outside FBO hours, and progress on a renovated flight academy building with a growing student body. Johnson said perimeter security is intended to better position certain tenants to compete for secure federal contracts. (Eric Johnson)

Roads and smaller hangars: The authority plans to regrade and resurface the Sardo entrance road, add a north access road to relieve vehicle/aircraft conflicts, and install a south access road to open developable bluepatch parcels for 30,000–40,000 sq ft box hangars that the authority says could be profitable and attractive to transient aviators. Steven estimated road work could begin in or around June and be completed before year end, subject to weather and approvals. (Curtis Steven)

Commercial service outlook: Johnson said one airline had provided a letter of intent and the authority has a signed minimum revenue guarantee on its side, but that carrier reallocated aircraft to another market, delaying service. He said the authority’s consultant remains engaged and is arranging meetings with about eight airlines to explore destination service or hub connections. "They still like what they see here," Johnson said of the previously interested carrier. (Eric Johnson)

Legal question and public comment: A commissioner asked about a pending lawsuit involving the MTA in Shawnee County; presenters said an attorney is handling the matter and declined to discuss details of ongoing litigation in the work session. No members of the public signed up to speak during the public comment period. (Curtis Steven)

What happens next: The authority said it will continue negotiations with airlines, work with Davcon to finalize site readiness, pursue the targeted apron rehabilitation funded by state and federal appropriations, and continue the SHPO/FAA process for hanger 619. Commissioners were asked to be kept informed of material changes; the work session adjourned without votes or executive session.