Palmer could lease Apron D for hangars without waiting on master plan, manager says

Palmer's airport superintendent told the Airport Advisory Commission on Oct. 22 that the city could turn Apron D from open aircraft parking into a leased lot, possibly for hangars, without waiting for the airport's master plan.

"We don't need to wait for the master plan. We can do that now," John Diumenti said, according to a transcript of the meeting. The first phase of the plan is about a year from completion. The commission took no vote.

In September, the commission named Apron D, where three planes are parked, as the first place to try T-hangars. A commissioner called it the airport's smallest apron, and Diumenti said the narrow lot may not fit T-hangars that open on both ends.

The Federal Aviation Administration paid to pave the apron and must approve turning it into a lease lot, Diumenti said. He said he has tentative permission. Leasing apron space also saves on future paving, he said, noting the north apron will cost "upwards of $20, $25, $30 million to repave."

Diumenti suggested advertising the lot for proposals for about three months, judging them on things like how densely a project would store aircraft and how many jobs it would create. He proposed rent at the aeronautical rate other tenants pay plus 10% to 20%. One commissioner said Palmer's biggest competition for a T-hangar project is Wasilla.

Two tenants paying 11 cents a square foot occupy about two-thirds of the apron, and Diumenti said they need adequate notice.

The commission's chair said he was game for moving forward. Another member suggested waiting until the commission meets with the master plan consultant, who presents to the City Council on Nov. 10.