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New Garden advances airport CIP and approves engineering agreement for 10‑hangar project
Summary
Board reviewed airport capital projects including runway lighting, fuel‑farm upgrades and a proposed 10‑hangar buildout; it approved an engineering agreement (GFT Infrastructure) not to exceed $210,579, and discussed options to fund match and construction from airport reserves.
The New Garden Township Board on July 20 advanced airport capital improvements, approved an engineering agreement for an East End 10‑hangar buildout and discussed options for using airport reserve funds to backstop grant matches.
Township staff presented projects for the New Garden Flying Field including precision approach lighting (PAPI/VASI), terminal apron resurfacing, a fuel‑farm upgrade to add Jet A fuel, and the 10‑hangar development. Manager Chris Himes described federal and PennDOT grant opportunities that reduce the township’s local match to 5–10 percent for some projects but said cost increases have strained the original financing plan for the hangar buildout.
To move engineering forward, the board approved a motion (pending solicitor review) to enter into an agreement with GFT Infrastructure for engineering services not to exceed $210,579. The motion passed by voice vote. Himes said the township could structure use of airport reserve/principal balances as a policy loan to provide the necessary upfront funds while preserving long‑term financial health: "You could use it as quote unquote a bank...and then we've got a payout schedule," he said.
Board members asked for safeguards to ensure any use of reserve funds is structured to replenish principal and avoid stripping airport capacity to support other projects. Staff said anticipated revenue from hangar rents and fuel sales, along with pending grant decisions, underpin the board’s willingness to proceed with engineering work.
Next steps: staff will return with final contract language after solicitor review and with financing options that include loan terms, repayment schedules and impacts on airport reserve balances.
