Bay Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, Maryland
Photo Credit: Kathryn
CENTREVILLE Members of the Bay Bridge Airport Commission met with the Queen Anne's County Commissioners Tuesday, Sept. 27, for an overview of operations at the county-owned airport and of efforts to make it a self-sustaining or revenue-producing asset.
Fred Lagno, chairman of the airport commission, started with a brief history of the airport, which has been operational for 50 years. The county has owned the facility for 23 years. In 2000, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Maryland Aviation Administration and the county purchased adjacent property to the north of the runway for $7 million, which is where current expansion efforts are focused.
"A lot of the action is happening there now," said Lagno. "That's where our focus will be in the next few years, as you soon will find out."
The airport features a 2,900-foot runway and a full-length parallel taxiway. Fueling is available around the clock, seven days a week. There are 24 forty-two-foot hangers, 3 forty-four-foot hangars, 5 forty-eight-foot hangars and another large hangar classified as A-1. The site also offers 62 tie downs on pavement and grass. "And believe me when I tell you, there is a demand for more," said Lagno. "We have a waiting list."
The airport is in the midst of a multi-phase effort to improve operating conditions and to expand the complex to accommodate more aircraft. Most of the funding for the work, estimated to cost about $10.5 million, is coming from the FAA through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Airport Improvement Program. The federal government covers 95 percent of the cost, with the state and Queen Anne's County chipping in 2r percent each.
Jennifer Lutz, of the engineering company URS, offered an overview of the progress and plans for expansion. The first phase, which is completed, included runway safety improvements out into the Bay, the full extension of the taxiway, and water and sewer line relocation to the north of Pier One Road. Those lines were relocated so that Pier One Road itself can be relocated to make room for expanded airport facilities. Once the road is relocated, additional hangars will be built and more space will be provided for parking airplanes.
On 13 acres north of the relocated Pier One Road, in between U.S. Route 50 and the airport expansion, a multi-use development project called The Vineyards is planned. The land was purchased as excess land for the airport expansion. County Administrator Gregg Todd said property taxes from development of the land will be payable to the county, but any revenue generated from the 99-year land lease will have to be used for airport operation or capital expenses, including paying down bond debt.
Lagno said in 2005 a study by Martin Associates, of Lancaster, Pa., found that the airport brought $1.4 million in revenues to businesses in the county. He said in 2005 the airport fell under what was called an Air Defense Identification Zone, as a result of 9/11, which caused a substantial drop in traffic. Since then, through efforts by the airport commission, that zone was moved west, which has brought in a "significant increase in transient traffic," he said. "That transient traffic utilizes local businesses, restaurants, boat sales, you name it. We do a lot of business in the county. We estimate now that the airport brings in over $3 million to the county."
Lagno said an average of three Medevac flights a week are made out of the airport. The airport also hosts Angel Flights, run by a private association that flies people in need to required medical care. Local events hosted by the airport include a Young Eagles program, Scouting programs, and the annual Wings and Wheels charity fundraiser.
Faith Elliott-Rossing, county director of economic development and tourism, spoke about future goals for the airport. Those goals include hiring a contractual manager, completing a business plan for raising revenue, and "recognizing all the while that The Vineyards is a piece of the puzzle, and there may be some payment expected from that that would help offset some of the bond debt in the next several years."
Commissioner David Dunmyer asked what the bond debt was now for the airport. Elliott-Rossing said the total was $844,936, spread out till the year 2031, which is about $63,000 a year. "That's what we're hoping to try to manage," she said.
Commissioner Phil Dumenil asked how The Vineyards project was progressing. Todd deferred an answer to later in the meeting as part of his administrator's update. During his update, Todd said the developer, John Wilson, of Coastal South and owner of the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, is continuing his plans to develop the site, beginning with a hotel. "He had an out based on his ability to get financing by the end of October, and he has moved forward with that and has not taken his out. He is still dedicated to the project."
Bay Bridge Airport (W29), Stevensville, Maryland
Photo Credit: Kathryn
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