The Fairfield City Council unanimously approved two airport improvement projects Monday, February 23rd, including a major paving project with 95% federal funding.
The council approved a design agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly for engineering services to pave the airport’s entryway road and parking lot. The engineering cost is $86,500, but with 95% federal funding from the infrastructure bill, the city’s match is only $4,325.
The estimated total construction cost exceeds $700,000.
The parking lot is original to the airport from 1967 and is “desperately needed,” according to Public Works Director Melanie Carlson.
Airport Manager Bob Lyons noted the project will provide practical benefits beyond improved appearance.
“We can’t charge for parking, but we won’t have to keep paying for repairs to people’s cars,” Lyons joked, referring to damage caused by the deteriorated pavement.
The project is simpler than recent airport work because it doesn’t involve the airspace, which significantly reduces complexity and regulatory requirements.
The Federal Aviation Administration works on federal fiscal years and wants most construction funds spent before October, so the majority of work will occur in the next fiscal year.
The council also unanimously approved installation of a new, larger flagpole at the airport to be donated in memory of Tom Thompson.
Lyons requested the approval, and the donation will honor Thompson’s memory at the facility.
Both projects demonstrate the city’s commitment to maintaining and improving aviation infrastructure while leveraging federal funding opportunities to minimize local taxpayer burden.
