AIRPORT BOARD DECIDES ON PRIORITY PROJECTS

  

The Brenham Airport Advisory Board decided on a list of priority projects during their meeting Tuesday evening.  Number one on that list is the repair of the hump that has re-developed on the north end of the runway.  The bumpy area has been repaired in the past, and is a hazard to planes taking off and landing, especially larger ones.  TxDOT looked at the issue last month, but said they had no emergency funds available for the repair.  The estimated cost of the repair is $421,000.  It will now be considered by the city during budget discussions to possibly include it on next year’s budget or seek a 90/10 TxDOT grant.

Next on the Airport Board’s priority list is the correction of several drainage issues at the airport and development of a Master Plan.  A Master Plan was last completed for the airport in 2005 and is outdated.  Brenham City Manager James Fisher said that TxDOT is now requiring airports to have a current Master Plan before any grants are approved.  Also on the list of priorities is replacement of the runway side lights with newer LED fixtures and rehabilitation of the runway and taxiway.

During the citizen comments portion of the meeting, David Andras, who owns a large hanger at the airport and has an airplane based there, addressed the board.  Andras said he is concerned about the lack of activity at the airport.  He noted that he has made a sizable investment in constructing the hanger and hoped that the airport board and the city government would continue to invest funds to keep Brenham’s airport active and in good repair.