Work at Davenport Municipal Airport (KDVN) underway as expansion plans move forward

The Davenport Municipal Airport is making way for more customers. Along the way, roads will be relocated for a runway expansion. 

 “Right now what they’re doing is they’re taking the building right down to its skeleton,” said Davenport Airport Manager Thomas Vesalga.

A rebuilt hangar is just the first step along the way. Heart of America group is giving a hangar at the Davenport Municipal Airport a fresh face, and is spending $400,000 on the work. Airport officials say it’s that kind of investment that could attract more businesses.

“They’re going to see this new building, they’re going to see the improvements we’re making around the airport, and they’ll come to us and want to build their own hangars. And as they do, we’re hoping for a snowball effect that more and more corporations will come,” Vesalga added.

Those improvements include extending the runway by 1,600 feet. Right now there are 28,000 take offs and landings every year at the airport.

“With that, we’ll be able to bring in larger aircraft and we’re hoping to be able to attract bigger businesses. Aircraft for cargo capabilities, business jet refurbishing companies,” said Vesalga.

The expanded runway means rerouting will take place on Slopertown Road as well as Buttermilk Road north of the airport. The airport will have to use federal money to buy private land in order to expand the runway. Negotiations with those landowners have already started.

The entire project is expected to be finished by 2021.

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