New Philadelphia airport officials want to expand Harry Clever Field and are asking the city to help them get a loan to cover the cost.
Airport Commission chairman Don Kennedy told City Council this week that pilots are lining up to park their aircraft at the East High Avenue airport. He says a new 12-bay hangar would fill up immediately.
“We still have a wait list. We feel that we can build another 12-bay hangar and we will have it filled by the time construction is completed.”
Commission member Bob Bedard said the project would cost about 2-million dollars, with more than half of that covered by state and federal funding.
They asked Council to approve a 640-thousand-dollar ODOT loan to help with the costs.
Bedard says revenue from the hangar would pay off the 20-year loan.
“The project supports itself through the rents that the tenants would be paying. As a matter of fact, there’s going to be a little left over about $1,000 in the reserve fund.”
Council took no action on the request this week. Members will continue the discussion and consider legislation at a future meeting.
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