HOLLAND, MI -- One of Michigan’s oldest airports will no longer operate after this year.
The Park Township Airport’s only paved runway is set for demolition later this year after voters Tuesday, March 10, rejected a millage request for the operation, maintenance, and repair of the 83-year-old airport.
The millage would’ve allowed for new runway improvements and lighting upgrades totaling about $1.4 million.
Park Township residents narrowly shot down the proposed 10-year airport millage, from 2020 to 2029, of 0.185 mills by a vote of 4,612 to 3,581, or 56.3 percent to 43.7 percent, according to the unofficial results from the Ottawa County Clerk’s Office.
The paved runway, which measures a little under a half mile in length, is now slated to be removed by Oct. 1. The public airport is located at 1269 Ottawa Beach Road.
Officials said the average assessed value for a single family home in the township is $181,816, which is considered half of market value and such a home would have paid $33.63 for the millage.
Park Township leaders will consult with the community on a path forward to turn the 80-acre space behind the township hall into a recreation and public-use space.
Related: Election results for Kent, Ottawa counties March 10, 2020
The Park Township Board previously voted that whatever happened with the airport, the property would be used to benefit the public.
“What happened last night will be a foundational moment in this community,” said Township Manager Howard Fink. “My hope and my wish is we come together as a community and identify how we can best use this site in an open-space recreational context for the community.”
The potential costs and specifics of any recreational uses will be determined in part through community feedback, Fink said.
A group opposed to the millage, the We All Pay Few Play Committee, argued that the airport is no longer a sustainable operation and benefits only a few aviators.
Among other reasons in opposition, the committee pointed out that residents already pay a millage to support the much busier West Michigan Regional Airport in Holland.
“Let’s begin the discussion about how our airport property can better serve EVERY resident and family in Park Township in the future,” committee officials wrote.
A group in favor of the millage, the Friends of Park Township Airport, argued the airport is enjoyed not only by pilots but hundreds of others.
The group said that there is already 54 acres on the 80-acre site available for public use. With the millage shot down, that acreage would reduce to 70 because 10 acres would revert back to the Holland Chamber of Commerce once the airport is closed.
If the millage passed, township leaders would have deliberated on how to better incorporate recreational and public uses on the property with an “AirPark” concept.
Currently, a portion of the airport acreage is being used for aviation recreation such as powered parachutes, drones and remote controlled planes.
That will continue even after the paved runway is demolished. Fixed-wing airplanes will not be allowed.
About 11 aircraft are based at the airport, Fink said. Last year, 63 pilots signed the airport’s log book stating they flew in and out of the airport.
According to Park Township’s website, the airport was established in 1937, making it one of Michigan’s earliest airports. In its time, it has served as an airmail stop, offered passenger service and even served as a military pilot training ground during WWII.
The airport was once a hub for corporate planes but later lost that business to West Michigan Regional Airport.
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