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KENANSVILLE — Construction on Duplin County Airport’s new hangar has come a long way over the holidays.
“All the big metal is up on the new hangar and the walls are starting to go up,” Airport Director Joshua Raynor told the Duplin County Airport Board at Tuesday’s meeting. The board then discussed the project’s budget and how to best spend the $400,000 set aside to rehabilitate existing structures. Both hangars to be renovated are over 30 years old. Hangar 1 was built in 1974; Hangar 2 was built in 1990.
Among the discussed options were hydraulic doors, new roofs, and deskinning (replacing old metal with new metal). Much of the budget has already been committed to dehumidification systems that will solve long-standing moisture problems in the buildings. The board discussed what different options would have the most lasting benefits for the airport and which could justify increasing rental rates. Board member Dexter Edwards suggested that a nicer hydraulic door on the new hangar would help test the waters of who is willing to pay more for a luxury hangar. Still, the board decided to make no decision on the doors until price quotes could be offered. Instead, they approved $290,000 to Daniels and Daniels, moving $170,000 from reserves. The new hangar is projected to be done by early June. Rental rates on the new hangar have yet to be determined. Board member Gage King recommended consulting a realtor from Raleigh who is looking to market hangar space.
The board made $311,000 in interest after investing the $5 million hangar project funds. The board discussed the rules on how to spend the interest funds and discovered that the same limitations apply to interest income as to the funds from which they were earned from. However, a request could be made to the legislators who awarded it if the board wanted to submit a plan for use of funds outside the scope of the original approved project.
Payment for the completed taxiway project is set to be covered by grant funding, but it is still waiting on the state to move funds from one grant to another to pay out the project.
The Fuel Farm project is moving forward with plans to start in mid-March. Part of the apron will be closed during construction. A fuel truck will be used away from the fuel farm for safety during working hours, and self-serve gas will remain open during non-working hours.
The apron design project discovered that no stone was under the concrete when it was built in 1995. Stone is necessary to keep the ground safe around the fuel farm in case of leakage. A 9-inch soil-and-concrete mix will be installed to fix it. The board discussed a temporary “dust storm” that will lower visibility while this soil cement is being laid. The apron design is going to seek state funding for concrete instead of asphalt. The state prefers asphalt but the unique geographical problems and needs of this location make cement a better option. In this location, asphalt sinks in the summer. Plans with estimates for the apron project are expected to be ready for discussion at the next board meeting.
The remaining earthwork needed for the airport maintenance building was approved. Work to haul dirt and make a pad will start when the weather is dry. Afterward, the airport will open for bids to complete the airport maintenance rehab project.$200,000 in grant funding has already been approved toward this project.
The board discussed their budget. Fuel sales were lower than expected in January, but everything else was on track with the budget. There were 391 operations in January: low but not unusual.
A new white Ford Explorer from Enterprise will now be the airport’s new crew car. Contracts were signed to lease it for three years. The airport also acquired a new, six-passenger electric golf cart. Both vehicles should be available for viewing at the next board meeting.
New hires were discussed. Raynor shared that Brandon Gibson was hired full-time and Mark Anderson was hired part-time. Both new hires are from Beulaville. The board asked for all airport employees to come to meet the board and share dinner with them at the next board meeting.
The board had some discussion about members up for reelection this year. Four positions will be up for reelection on June 30. Raynor said that they will have to decide by April if they want to go for reelection in order to be presented to the county commissioners and placed on the ballot in time. The meeting adjourned shortly thereafter.
