State seeks public comment on Bethel Airport lease renewal by May 18

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is accepting public comments through May 18 on a proposed five-year lease renewal at Bethel Airport. The deadline is 4:30 p.m.

Bethel Airport Terminal, LLC applied to renew its lease for Lot 8C, Block 4, a 41,166-square-foot parcel at the airport. The company would pay $8,933.22 annually to operate a passenger terminal and air cargo facility, along with aircraft maintenance, fuel dispensing, and parking services.

The lease allows commercial aviation operations including air taxi and charter service. Aircraft maintenance is limited to planes with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds unless the company receives written permission for larger aircraft.

State law allows the department to renew the lease without competitive bidding because it is a successive lease to an existing agreement. The department will decide whether to execute the lease after the comment period closes.

Only people who submit written comments by the deadline will receive notification of the department's decision. Comments must include a return address.

Johann Mueller handles aviation leasing for the department's Central Region. He can be reached at PO Box 196900, Anchorage, Alaska 99519-6900, or by phone at 907-269-0731. People needing hearing assistance may call Alaska Relay at 711.