Airport Master Plan Project Update--October 19, 2019

The Town of Middleton has issued a statement indicating that the City of Middleton is considering a “large expansion” of the airport that would cost “an estimated $12.4 million.” To date, no cost estimates have been developed as part of the airport master planning process. Project staff at the City, Mead & Hunt (aviation consultant), and the Bureau of Aeronautics have no knowledge about the origin of this cost estimate.
 
Mead & Hunt continues to work on addressing comments provided by the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the draft Aviation Forecasts component of the master plan. Once the FAA agrees with the forecasts, the firm will update the Facility Requirements chapter before proceeding with the Alternatives Analysis phase of the master plan. The project scope calls for analyzing the merits and deficiencies of potentially lengthening the east-west runway, upgrading the cross-wind runway, and developing additional space for hangars. This work will include reviewing land use plans and undertaking a noise analysis. A financial plan (including development of cost estimates) won’t be undertaken until after the alternatives analysis phase.
 
The next Airport Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting will be scheduled when revisions to the aviation forecasts and facility requirements chapters are available, but before Mead & Hunt proceeds with the alternatives analysis chapter. After that, project staff anticipate that there will be at least two additional AMPAC meetings to further guide the planning process.
 
As was announced in August, the master planning process will extend into 2020.  Once a draft plan is available, the City of Middleton will collaborate with the Towns of Middleton and Springfield to prepare a community survey regarding the airport and its future. The City remains fully committed to providing public input opportunities before the Common Council is asked to adopt the master plan.