Friday, Feb. 11, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Falcon Field facility deal hits a snagBy JOHN MUNFORD A businessman wants to start up a charter and aircraft maintenance operation at the former Hunting facility just off the property of Falcon Field Airport. But Stan Smith needs a through the fence agreement with the Peachtree City Airport Authority, and he expressed frustration at Wednesday nights authority meeting with the lack of progress on getting an offer. Smith said he began talks with Airport Manager John Crosby but hasnt gotten a firm document to deal with, and time is of the essence. Jerry Cobb, the authoritys new chairman, said the group would work quickly to resolve the matter, possibly calling a special meeting if necessary. With all diligence well take care of this matter promptly, Cobb said, adding that the authority has been working on the issue since August. Cobb cautioned that any through the fence offer had to be structured so it didnt put on-airport tenants at a disadvantage, which is a requirement of the Federal Aviation Administration. The authority also needs to be fair to the owner of the buildings, the purchaser and the airport itself, Cobb added. Through the fence agreements are necessary for any property owner located off the airport to gain access to airport property. After the meeting, Smith said he wants the terms to be the typical through the fence agreement the authority has used in the past, with the charge based on 20 cents per square foot between the hangar and apron space used by the business. But the last time the authority was approached about a through the fence agreement, the group agreed to handle them on a case-by-case basis so incentives could be considered to attract aviation businesses to Falcon Field. The lack of any action from the authority, however, could lead to the Hunting facility being purchased for a non-aviation use, Smith told the authority. Weve heard that before, said authority member Doug Fisher. Susan Cates, who has been involved with Hunting Aviation and is a former member of the authority, said the value of the buildings is declining rapidly from their original price of $5.5 million. Smith said if the cost of the through-the-fence agreement was near the current price for commercial hangar space on airport property, there was no way he could operate the Hunting facility. |
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