Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 15, 1991 TAG: 9102150344
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Some aircraft owners have complained about the delay on the proposed upgrading and expansion.
Consultants recommended the plan last year, but the commission has not decided whether it will finance the hangars itself or seek bids from private developers.
The expansion would occur in the next decade on 64 acres near the airport's old passenger terminal, parking lot and existing hangars. Officials have not released cost estimates.
The commission has scheduled a workshop at its April 17 meeting to discuss the plan.
Johnson, vice chairman of the commission, said the workshop will be open to people who have an interest in general aviation.
"We want input from airport users and those who will be affected by the plan," he said.
The commission has asked Jacqueline Shuck, airport executive director, to prepare a report by early April.
Charles Linenfelser and Patrick Cosmato, who have complained about the delay, criticized the commission for holding a closed session this week for what they believed to be a discussion of the plan.
"I would hope we could have debates on general aviation in public. It is so secretive there are rumblings that another general aviation airport might be built," said Linenfelser, who operates an aircraft maintenance business at the airport.
Under the plan, facilities would be expanded in two phases. Most of the development is projected to occur during the first five years and would be adequate to meet projected needs for this period, consultants said.
If there is sufficient demand for additional facilities and the Federal Aviation Administration constructs a new air traffic control tower at the airport, the old terminal would be razed between 1995 and 2000.
by CNB