AIRPORT MASTER PLAN UPDATE

By Ellen Korz

The Master Plan for the airport was presented by Gayle M. Mckee Associate Director of C&S Companies, an Aviation Group. The plan was mostly upgrades to meet the new standards and basically deals with aviation issues. There was no mention of expansion. Users of the airport and community businesses were surveyed as to what was needed. 

The plan in place is 17 years old and FAA standards have changed. It is necessary to revise the plan for FAA funding which is based on development projects. Creating the plan is a lengthy process and must be reviewed by the FAA and the NYSDOT. Mostly what will be done are fixing deficiencies, additional hangers, and included in the plan will be restrooms, improved ground transportation, a pilot shop and a meeting facility. Since the Tower is very old and too low, that will also be addressed.

Any obstructions must be addressed. Included in the plan will be a possible change to Route 376 to regain part of a runway that has been reduced. When questioned it was explained that it has to be in the plan even if it will never happen. These are all capital improvements and will be funded 90% by the FAA. The Master Plan will probably be presented to the public in the fall. There are many steps before any projects are begun, probably the fiscal year 2025. Gayle McKee can be contacted with any questions, 716-847-1630.

Carried over from the last meeting was a plan for restrooms. The price for restrooms that were agreeable to the Advisory came out very low. They will wait for an actual quote for service from the company before any decisions are made.