Bolton & Menk outlines taxiway project timeline; board discusses land purchase, comm tower and wind-tower proximity

Consultants and board members at the Dunn County Airport Authority’s Feb. 9 meeting focused on infrastructure planning, including a taxiway design update and next steps for a runway expansion land purchase and nearby tower proposals.

Nick Grahek of Bolton & Menk presented the Partial Parallel and Taxi Lane project update, noting changes to the access road and upcoming Federal Aviation Administration requirements related to building heights and lighting. Grahek told the board that final bid documents are expected to be ready by March 2, bidding will open March 24, and an NDAC grant application will be prepared for an April deadline.

Board members discussed a pending land purchase tied to a future runway expansion, reporting that the appraisal is still in progress and no transaction has been finalized. The board also discussed a proposed communications tower northwest of the airport. A communications company is expected to present a new proposal at the Feb. 18 County Commission meeting; airport representation is scheduled for that meeting at 10:15 a.m.

Members raised the related topic of county code and whether proposed wind towers should be subject to proximity limits near the airport, but no code changes or votes were recorded at the meeting. The board set its next regular meeting for March 2 at 6:00 p.m.

The board did not take formal action on the land purchase, communications tower or wind-tower code at this meeting; those items remain under review.