THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409080505
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY ANNE SAITA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MAPLE LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
The Maple municipal airport, which has encountered public turbulence in recent years, now is better positioned to take off.
The Currituck County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday evening approved plans for a $250,000 hangar facility that airport proponents hailed as a milestone.
``I think this fits within the long-term plans that the airport authority has put together,'' Commissioner Jerry Wright said during a discussion prior to a 4-to-1 vote.
Ernie Bowden cast the dissenting vote, believing that the airport may become an albatross.
``I don't believe there's that much interest in that airport in this county,'' the commissioner said.
The old Navy airstrip off U.S. 158 has raised concerns since county officials first began upgrading the facility to compete with municipal airports in neighboring Chesapeake, Elizabeth City and Manteo.
Since 1988, Currituck County has matched state funds of $233,190 for airport improvements, including runway and taxi lighting, a rotating beacon and an apron expansion.
The T-shaped hangar spaces will be housed in a building about 100-by-40-feet and funded through the county's occupancy tax.
Commissioners said Tuesday they will charge the airport authority interest on the $250,000 at local banks' current lending rate.
Hangar spaces are expected to rent for $100 to $175 monthly. At an average rent of $150, the county should be fully repaid in 11 1/2 years, County Finance Officer Dan Scanlon said.
``We have commitments, in one form or another, for all of the units,'' Airport Authority Chairman Starkey Sharp told the board.
Sharp added that Kitty Hawk Kites wants to open a concession at one end, and an aircraft repair business is ready to lease the other office.
Commissioners Tuesday agreed that, despite aviators' interest, the Maple operation did not always have the public's backing.
``We've caught more flak with the airport than any one other thing that we did,'' Moyock Township's Janie Askew said.
But most, including Askew, agreed now was the time to move forward with the airport expansion.
A proposed midcounty bridge to the Outer Banks will shorten the driving distance to the county's Corolla beaches, where future airport customers are expected.
Board chairman B.U. Evans III noted that the Maple airport is only about five miles farther than Manteo from the Aycock Brown Visitor's Center at the center of the barrier islands.
The Manteo airport currently is considered Currituck's chief competitor.
Bowden argued that the money given to the latest airport improvement could be better spent on recreational programs for county youth.
``This airport, I don't think is going to take one kid out of the drug scene, not at all,'' he said.
But David Messina, one of five airport authority members who came before the board, defended the airport. The aviation facility offers school tours and is interested in a Boys Scout flying program, Messina said.
The airport's upcoming Aviation Day on Sept. 17 is further evidence of the growing county support, he added. ``Each year it's just grown steadily,'' with up to a thousand visitors expected this year. by CNB