Jan. 27—The city of Midland will send the FAA a letter saying it does not intend to pursue the closure of Midland Airpark.
After discussing Airpark at the city retreat Thursday, Mayor Patrick Payton told Airports Director Justine Ruff to "write the letter and I will sign it."
The conversation started after the council discussed a priority from the Airport Department on "obtaining direction on the future of Midland Airpark."
There were no members of the council stating Thursday that they had "an appetite" to move the airpark to the east side of Midland International Airport.
The council learned that a "hard number" of the infrastructure required to move Airpark, the airport in north Midland, was $124 million. They also learned that the appraised value of Airpark property was $9 million. There might be a buyer that would pay $25 million if it were sold as a private airport, it was said.
Ruff said that letting the FAA know that the city is not closing Airpark will help the city receive more FAA support for airport projects, including future projects at Airpark and possibly on developing the east side of Midland International.
Securing the land on the east side of Midland International for future expansion also was listed as priority. That expansion would start with the purchase of land that could cost as much as $8 million, most of which would be covered by a healthy Airport Fund.
It was during last year's planning session that city leaders again talked about moving Airpark, which is located north of ClayDesta and Midland College. Those opposing the idea of moving Airpark included the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
The Reporter-Telegram previously reported the Federal Aviation Administration stated the city of Midland could be required to pay "a large portion" of $5.3 million in FAA and Texas Department of Transportation grants as part of any closure of Midland Airpark.
Payton said during the process that no decision had been made, that city leaders wanted to have an open mind about Airpark and that a decision would be made when questions about costs and other issues were answered.
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