Grant for $2.9 million leads to more upgrades
Airport to get new general aviation hangar
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the city of Presque Isle a grant for $2,982,515 for improvements at the Northern Maine Regional Airport, with funds earmarked for upgrading the runway’s apron — one of multiple improvements in the works for the site beginning next year.
“Given Maine’s large geographic area and dispersed population, air travel is a critical connecting force that helps to link communities across the state,” noted Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King, in a joint statement. “Northern Maine Regional Airport and other small airports are gateways for our businesses, and play a fundamental role in the continued economic development of our most rural regions. This funding will help Presque Isle make necessary improvements to ensure that the airport continues to operate safely.”
Congressman Mike Michaud said this significant investment is “wonderful news for NMRA.”
“The funds will allow the airport to make needed infrastructure upgrades that will ensure it can continue to effectively and efficiently serve all of our residents and visitors who rely on the airport as a point of access, day-in and day-out. Maintaining our airports is critical to our economy, and I’m pleased this funding will help us do just that.”
According to the DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration, the funding will be used to rehabilitate the pavement on the airport’s apron — the area where aircraft are parked for loading and unloading, refueling, parking and maintenance.
NMRA General Manager Scott Wardwell said the overall project will involve redoing the general aviation ramp pavement.
“What’s there is more than 20 years old and has outlived its life. The pavement was analyzed in 2000 and predicted not to last this long,” said Wardwell.
He said in doing the analysis, officials found a “silver lining” of sorts.
“One great thing that happened as the project developed was determining the G.A. building had some issues. The way it’s located on site, it can’t meet current fire codes. Any ramp you do fueling on requires a slope away from hangars. If we have a spill — the way the building is situated now — you’d have to try to prevent the fuel from going back into the building,” said Wardwell.
In doing the analysis, Wardwell said if they were to keep the old hangar, it would impact the cost of upgrading the ramp.
“To meet code, we’d spend a lot of money and have to lower the taxiway. The FAA made the decision to meet fire rules, as well as their own guidelines. They want the building removed. The fabulous thing for the city is the old building would have needed a new roof soon and repairs to the metal siding. It’s not the most efficient building,” said Wardwell. “Essentially what we’re able to do with the FAA now is build a new hangar, which will be located next to the corporate hangar.”
Wardwell said it will essentially be the same size building as the G.A. facility, and located between the corporate hangar and the taxiway.
He said the cost to the city will be pennies on the dollar.
“The city’s cost will be 2.5 cents per dollar. That gets us a brand new building, with the city covering just 2.5 percent in matching funds. When completed, it will cost about $400,000 of city money and get us a brand new hangar. The project will be done in two phases. The first part will involved a new hangar access road, parking lot and section of ramp. By 2016 we’ll complete phase two, which involves the rest of the ramp and demolition of the old building,” said Wardwell, noting some of the work was scheduled to begin this year, starting with project design, then it would go out to bid. MDOT will put in 2.5 percent, with FAA picking up the remaining 95 percent cost of the project.
“After that, we’ll apply for the grant,” he said.
“It’s not really a risk for us; it falls under the five-year capital plan with the FAA. We’ll turn some dirt this fall, but it’s so late in the season, the project won’t be completed until at least next summer,” said Wardwell.
The new hangar will be designed similar to the corporate hangar.
“They’ll be matched to look like they were built at the same time,” said Wardwell.
Wardwell said the old building would remain until 2016, with the space possibly rented until it’s demolished.
“The commitment made by FAA really worked with us. The airport has done well with FAA funding. From 2005-11 we got more discretionary funding than any other airport in Maine. Since 2011 the Portland Jetport has received more, but they’ve had larger projects,” he said.
In addition to serving corporate flights and passenger carriers, Wardwell said the facility also serves local pilots.
“The Aero Club recently reactivated. It’s a good deal for the airport. We’ve picked up two or three additional customers because of it. People learn to fly through them, then want to own a plane. They become hangar rental and fuel customers,” Wardwell said.
He noted there’s a significant difference between NMRA and other airports.
“The difference is ‘We leave the lights on for ya.’ That’s the reason the FAA treats us well. We do almost 100 percent of the Jet A from our truck. We have a low-lead truck and a credit card pump. You don’t have to go to added expense or added risk of traveling elsewhere,” he said.
Wardwell said careful use of fed dollars leads to more funding.
“If the FAA knows the money is used frugally, it opens us up for more grants. They (feds) know the project will get done affordably,” said Wardwell.
