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Airport overhaul plan targets 2027 apron replacement, hangar upgrades and PAPI lights
Summary
City airport staff outlined a multi-year plan that includes replacing aging apron concrete in FY27, installing a PAPI approach light on Runway 31, and adding box hangars; staff warned some apron areas tested below a 12,500-lb rating and federal funding timing will affect schedules.
City staff presented a five-year airport capital plan that prioritizes a FY27 concrete apron replacement, design work for a PAPI light on Runway 31 and construction of a maintenance barn and new hangars.
"This is your our 5 year budgetary plan that we have for the airport," said James Mason, the airport presenter. He told council the apron design work is nearly complete and that the concrete apron in front of the main terminal dates to the original construction and needs replacement because "some of that 50 year old concrete...the weight rating is not enough for the tenant use." Mason said that the apron replacement and associated drainage work will span multiple years and will depend on federal funds release timing.
Mason described a proposal to redevelop a row of seven box hangars with a mix of 50-by-14-by-36 and 40-by-14-by-36 units. He presented budget estimates including a $50,000 design cost for a maintenance barn and building quotes for box hangars near $380,000 each. Mason said the city has used ramp-grant funds for smaller projects and will evaluate FAA and TxDOT preferences for project packaging.
Council members pressed staff on operational impacts: staff said some apron sections recorded a static weight rating under 12,500 pounds and thus routinely cannot be used for parking heavier aircraft because "that creates a substantial risk of failure." Mason added that temporary aircraft movement is possible but long-term parking on those panels would be unsafe.
Staff noted construction sequencing (design in FY28 for PAPI; installation later) and contingency planning for grant or state agency thresholds; they also said some cost estimates reflect recent, lower bids from boutique metal fabricators for box hangars. The presentation closed with staff offering to bring detailed slide breakdowns and updated cost numbers in future budget workshops.
