The town of Arlington will purchase the Arlington Municipal Airport’s mounted base operator, a transfer that officers say will create income to develop the airport because it takes on extra site visitors.
Arlington Metropolis Council unanimously accepted the $17 million acquisition Tuesday of Harrison Aviation and GKY Realty property as Harrison Aviation’s proprietor prepares to depart the enterprise.
The acquisition will add $78 million in advantages to the town over the subsequent 20 years, on high of an anticipated $236 million financial impression from the reliever airport simply south of Interstate 20. The town will personal and function the mounted base operator, which typically supplies providers together with fueling, upkeep and concierge providers to all airports.
Officers informed the town council that the brand new income supply may fund much-anticipated growth wants, particularly on the airport’s west aspect.
Jennifer Wichmann, deputy metropolis supervisor, stated the airport is in most want of growth throughout 34 acres within the airport’s west aspect and extra plane parking areas.
“It’s going to want a number of infrastructure and different components to attach it and set it up so we will usher in the appropriate tenants and proper prospects and firms to return in and function there,” she stated.
The town break up prices with the Arlington Financial Growth Company, which contributed $9.5 million to the acquisition. The town paid $7.5 million from fuel income from the airport and proceeds from the Arlington Tomorrow Basis.
Arlington Metropolis Council will vote on the airport’s gasoline contract and ordinances establishing charges in future metropolis council conferences. The town will absolutely transition to take over mounted base operator duties by April 1, based on the town.
The acquisition is a part of $68.5 million in investments deliberate in and across the airport. Different deliberate investments embody an air taxi terminal and hangar, the extension of MLK Jr. Drive and extra parking.
Expansions would profit Arlington’s industrial manufacturing sector, in addition to rising demand for journey for leisure district occasions.
“Significantly on days our leisure district is de facto activated, they actually should work onerous to determine the place to stack all these airplanes with all these individuals coming in and eager to fly into our airport after which attend occasions there,” Wichmann stated.
Arlington Municipal Airport gained nationwide standing in late 2022.
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