Chelan airport growth plans prompt questions over city-port coordination

CHELAN — Plans to bring more business and potentially commercial air service to Lake Chelan Airport prompted a broader discussion Oct. 27 about how the city and Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority coordinate their work, with officials identifying different expectations over airport planning and development around it.

During a joint meeting of the Chelan City Council and port commissioners, port representatives questioned whether an airport planning update could jeopardize the longer runway envisioned to accommodate additional aircraft and support potential passenger service. City officials said those goals remain in place and described the update as necessary to validate information and maintain access to Federal Aviation Administration funding.

The discussion comes as a waterline extension moves toward construction, opening opportunities for development at an airport where infrastructure has long limited growth. It also comes during the first year of a new operating arrangement that places day-to-day airport management with the city while retaining a port role in capital investments.

Port commissioners said they wanted greater involvement in decisions affecting that long-term investment. Commissioner Richard DeRock said learning about the planning update through news coverage raised concerns about whether the agencies were still pursuing the same economic objectives.

City Administrator Laura McAloon said city and port staff had been communicating, but acknowledged that those conversations needed to extend more consistently to elected officials.

“This points out to me that there’s an absolute need to have that policy-level collaboration and understanding and education,” McAloon said.

The approximately $464,000 planning project, supported by a $418,000 FAA grant accepted in August, will update the airport layout plan and property mapping, review information underlying the existing master plan and include public outreach. Century West Engineering was selected to conduct the work, with initial public meetings anticipated in mid-November.

Commissioners questioned the need to revisit aviation forecasts and earlier planning decisions, arguing that the case for a longer runway rests partly on the aircraft and commercial activity the airport could attract with improved infrastructure.

McAloon said the city was not abandoning that vision. Questions about property acquisition, project costs, runway maintenance and public participation had contributed to the need for additional review, she said.

“No one is saying, I have not heard from the FAA, that they do not support a longer runway,” McAloon said.

She said the FAA had indicated that additional capital funding depended on validating the airport’s planning information. The work would also examine how to make better use of existing airport property and account for infrastructure improvements, including the waterline.

The waterline project is out to bid, with a contract award anticipated in November and construction expected to begin in January. The port and Chelan County are each contributing approximately $666,666 toward the project, according to the presentation.

Port representatives described that investment as one part of a larger strategy: provide water, accommodate a broader range of aircraft and attract businesses whose revenue could help support airport operations.

That led to a second discussion about land use around the airport and who should lead efforts to allow additional development.

Port officials said they had expected the city to help advance a proposed airport development overlay through conversations with the county and community. They described an approach that would preserve existing uses while allowing compatible business development over time.

McAloon said her understanding differed. The city had communicated support for the port’s proposal to the county, she said, but her staff understood that the port would lead the effort involving land outside city jurisdiction.

She suggested reviewing the interlocal agreement together to resolve those differing expectations.

Port representatives said their interest in surrounding development is tied directly to airport finances. Attracting businesses that benefit from an airport location, including those that are not strictly aviation businesses, could generate revenue to help cover operating and capital costs.

The city’s financial presentation illustrated the limits of the airport’s current resources. Finance Director Heidi Evans presented a preliminary 2027 operating budget projecting approximately $27,000 to $28,000 in net income after anticipated revenues, expenses and contributions from the city and port.

McAloon said a full-time airport operations manager would be beneficial, but current airport revenue does not support that staffing level without additional subsidy. The city is also reviewing leases, monitoring fuel pricing more closely and examining ways to improve collection of airport fees.

Mayor Erin McCardle said the first year of the new operating structure, combined with significant staffing changes, had revealed areas where the partnership needed further work. She emphasized that the city remained committed to airport growth and the opportunities new infrastructure could provide.

“So I appreciate you bringing all of your questions,” McCardle said. “That’s how we figure out how we get better and how we continue to make the airport a better asset.”

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media