Airport expansion moving forward

With the next steps of the expansion of the Fort Scott Municipal Airport in the works, a new business may be coming as a result.

Mike Waller, with Bucher, Willis & Ratliff, addressed the Fort Scott City Commission Tuesday evening and presented the next steps in the master plan development for the expansion of the Fort Scott Municipal Airport. Waller said the next three steps in the process are completing environmental assessments of the area, acquiring the land needed to complete the expansion, then realigning the county road that runs by the airport.

With the expansion moving closer to reality, one business has already decided to that it would like to make Fort Scott it's home. According to Fort Scott Director of Economic Development Dale Bunn, the business specializes in aircraft repair and service.

Bunn said that the business, which is remaining anonymous at this time, could potentially fund the construction of a $1.8 million maintenance building which is included in the airport expansion master plan. The building at the airport would be used to house the aircraft service center while another building would, most likely in the industrial park, would house the aircraft parts repair operations.

"There is much to be done yet, but we wanted to get the conversation started," Bunn said.

According to Steve Buerge, president of Bourbon County Economic Development Council, the potential investors have been to Fort Scott more than once and toured the current airport facility Tuesday. He said they were impressed with the current facility and were pleased with how well maintained it was.

At the moment, Buerge said there is one thing that stands in the way of making this deal happen. He said that business would need a building to operate in while a permanent facility is constructed.

"These boys have made their decision to come to Fort Scott," he said. "They are ready to come, but they need a building."

Buerge approached the commission with the possibility of using it's bonding authority to provide assistance in purchasing a building which is currently available in the industrial park.

"BEDCO can't do this on our own," he said. "The city is the driving force that can get this thing done."

Kansas Senator Bob Marshall, R-Fort Scott, who was at the meeting as a representative of the Airport Advisory Board said that while he was campaigning for the Kansas Senate his main goal was economic development. He said the city has good schools, is working on a better highway, but needs to address the airport so it can accommodate larger corporate jets.

"One thing we are not doing is making ourselves competitive with our neighbor 20 miles to the east," he said.

Commissioner Jim Adams echoed Buerge's concerns with making the names of the investors public at this time as it could allow the city where the investors are currently located to make counter offers to prevent them from coming to Fort Scott.

Other business conducted by the commission included:

* Recognized Bill Lemke for receiving a Certificate of Recognition from the Fort Scott National Historic Site for his help in dealing with water main issues at the site.

* Approved a certificate of appropriateness for Farmer's Market signage in Skubitz Plaza.

* Approved to waive the fireworks ordinance on September 24 and October 8 for Fort Scott High School football games.

* Proclaimed Sept. 30 as American Mensa's 50th Anniversary Day.

* Proclaimed Sept. 11 as Patriot Day. In addition on that day flags will be displayed at half-staff and a moment of silence will be observed at 8:46 a.m. (EDT)

* Approved the reappointment of Gary Palmer, Don Steward, Arnold Schofield and Rick Zingre' to three-year terms on the Design Review Board.

* Approved the low bids from Walker Construction, of Fort Scott, for the demolition of the structures at 212 N. Eddy ($2,400) and 215 N. Eddy ($2,200.)

* Approved an Architectural Engineering Contract with Zingre and Associates, P.A., of Fort Scott, for an evaluation space utilization within Buck Run Community Center. The evaluation will cost $3,300.

During Tuesday's meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission, the city took the opportunity to thank the employees who have dedicated many years to service within the city. Those recognized included:

* 25 Years: Lynn Plain, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III.

* 20 years: Paul Ballou, Fire Chief, Fire Department; Dale Bollinger, Captain, Fire Department.

* 15 years: Rick Hurd, Maintenance II, Street Department, Public Works.

* 10 years: Mike Shaw, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator I.

* 5 years: Susan Brown, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director; Tom Embry, Maintenance I, Wastewater Collections; Charles Howser, Maintenance II, Wastewater Collections; Monicka Richmeier, Corporal, Fort Scott Police Department; Scott Shelton, Firefighter, Fort Scott Fire Department; Eric Spencer, Maintenance II, Street Department, Public Works.