Sikorsky Memorial Airport upgrade takes off

Richard Weizel

Jun. 6, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- STRATFORD -- While the decades-long battle between Bridgeport and Stratford over runway improvements and expansion at Igor I. Sikorsky (NYSE:UTX) Memorial Airport has intensified in recent weeks, both town and city officials have somehow found a way to jointly support a $10 million airport overhaul currently underway.

The airport upgrade is in full swing even as politicians continue to fight it out over the runway.

The city of Bridgeport owns the airport, which is located in Stratford.

As Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and Stratford Mayor James R. Miron are at odds over long-sought proposed runway improvements, Stratford's General Assembly delegation helped kill a city pension plan because they didn't get their way to extend a moratorium to delay runway expansion. Bridgeport needed the Legislature's approval to defer pension payments for two years to help it resolve its budget crisis.

But that didn't stop construction crews, which were out in full force last week, from tearing down a 1960s-era terminal to make way for a new aircraft hangar as part of a expansion project for the airport's corporate tenants. It is the first phase of what officials hope will eventually be a four-phase, nearly $30 million project.

Aviation Facilities Group LLC, which in 2005 won a contract to upgrade the airport, has in recent weeks started work to tear down and replace two aging and dilapidated hangars with a 35,000-square-foot aircraft storage hangar that will include

4,000 square feet of office space on the second floor; an operation terminal; fueling center and 2,000 square feet of office space for the airport staff that recently was completed.

Volo Capital Partners LLC, AFG's affiliate and primary tenant, expects the added space and aircraft will create jobs for pilots, maintenance and fueling crews and customer-service representatives.

"Runway improvements are very much needed," said Airport Manager John Ricci, as he sat in his new, sleek one-level administrative office building last week, looking out at a couple of twin-engine planes parked nearby, taking in the view from full-length office windows. "But this upgrade has nothing to do with runway improvements or expanding the airport. It's just a long overdue overhaul that will help the airport, the city, the town and region."

Stratford officials are happy the town will benefit by receiving $95,000 a year in lieu of taxes at the completion of the project's first phase next April, and an additional $95,000 a year at the completion of Phase II.

Town Council Majority Leader Michael Julian, R-1, whose district includes the airport, said while he continues to strongly oppose runway expansion, as does the rest of the council, he is thrilled the airport upgrade will "finally mean some revenue for the town from the airport after all these years."

Stratford officials have contended for years the town should receive annual tax revenue because the airport is located in their town, but they have been unable to collect from Bridgeport.

Julian, who was on a special council committee that negotiated terms of the deal, said as long as the airport's footprint doesn't change, the upgrade is welcome.

But Tom Harrow, general partner and project manager for Volo, said while the upgrade will be beneficial to the airport, city town and region, his company also strongly favors runway improvements.

"We believe the airport is safe, but it would be significantly safer with the runway improvements and we agree with the airport and city on that," said Harrow. "It's not a black and white issue, but when you have an opportunity to increase safety it's important to pursue it."

The runway proposal has been heatedly opposed by Lordship neighbors and Stratford officials, who argue it would eventually result in airport expansion.

A proposed safety zone would consist of deep gravel designed to slow a runaway plane and prevent it from crashing into a blast fence at the end of the zone. That blast fence now runs along Main Street, very close to the end of the runway. Three planes have crashed there in the past and skidded onto Main Street, most notably a 1994 accident that claimed eight lives.

However, Mark Coe, vice president of development for Volo Aviation, said he wants to make it clear the upgrade "has nothing to do with" runway improvements or expansion.

David Faile, president of the 650-member Friends of Sikorsky Memorial Airport, a pilot and flight instructor, said the airport project is "long overdue, but so are runway improvements.

"The airport hangar was antiquated and not maintained, and what was the city's responsibility is now becoming the responsibly of Volo," Faile said " "This is a great boost for the region and it tells me Volo has confidence in the economic viability of the region and the future of the airport."

Newstex ID: 35564409