ROANOKE AIRPORT TO ADD HANGARS, LEASING SPACE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 16, 1992                   TAG: 9201160335
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
ROANOKE AIRPORT TO ADD HANGARS, LEASING SPACE
Construction will begin by early summer on a major expansion and upgrading of the general aviation facilities at the Roanoke Regional Airport for private and corporate aircraft.
Jacqueline Shuck, airport executive director, said Wednesday that $1 million in site work for the project could start by June. The expansion area is north of the new terminal, near Roanoke Fire Station No. 10.
The Regional Airport Commission will seek bids from private developers to construct hangars and lease space for storage of aircraft. Bids will be sought on 10 to 19 hangars, depending on demand, Shuck said.
The airport is so squeezed for storage space now that some planes are parked outdoors.
Several old buildings, including World War II-vintage Quonset hangars, will be torn down to provide more space.
Bob Johnson, vice chairman of the commission, said he hopes airport officials will seek bids as soon as possible on the hangars without waiting until all site work is completed. Hangar construction could begin before all site work is finished, he added.
Several aircraft owners have complained about what they describe as the slow pace of the expansion and upgrading.
There also have been complaints that general aviation facilities are inadequate and neglected, but the commissioners have denied the accusation.
The airport has a $4 million budget, but general aviation provides about $100,000 in revenues. In the past year, the airport spent $65,000 on improvements to general aviation facilities, leaving a net of $35,000.
Shuck said the cost figures don't include routine maintenance and operations.
Owners of private aircraft generally support the expansion plan, but some are worried that rental fees for storage space will increase dramatically. Airport officials say they don't expect a large increase, howevee.
The expansion plan is divided into two five-year phases. Most of the development is expected to occur during the first five years and would be adequate to meet projected needs for the period.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB