As the South Central Regional Airport Agency continues work on developing a regional airport between Pella and Oskaloosa, the Pella City Council received details about what they should do to keep the current municipal airport in Pella operational.

Jerry Searle with HDR, the firm guiding the development of the Regional Airport Project, presented about the Pella Municipal Airport Transition Plan at this week’s council meeting. City Administrator Mike Nardini says the document highlighted five key areas for improvement to carry the facility over the next seven to ten years as the South Central Regional Airport Agency works to get construction started at the proposed Regional Airport between Pella and Oskaloosa.

Key elements:
• Construct Wildlife Fence ($411,700)
• Runway Rehabilitation ($1,330,600)
• Aircraft Storage/Hangar Relocation ($200,000)
• Apron Expansion ($185,200)
• Access Road Improvements ($120,600)

Many of the costs could be paid for on a 90-10 percent match, with the FAA providing the majority share of those funds if they give the go ahead. However, some of the elements may not qualify for the match if it isn’t approved by the federal entity, namely the wildlife fence.