ONAWA, Iowa (KTIV) -
On July 1st, the City of Onawa, Iowa, plans to ground its municipal airport for good. The idea had been long discussed but a decision from the city council came back in April to officially close it.
In the 20-plus years it was open, Onawa City Administrator Brad Hanson says the airport never produced a profit when you added in maintenance and upkeep costs and fees.
Currently, there are five hangars on the 70-acre property. Hanson says four are occupied but, only one hangar is routinely used.
Onawa Municipal Airport is an unmanned airport which makes it hard to give an exact number of how many planes use the airport monthly Hanson says. Though Hanson says the number is small.
The airports primary use has been for general aviation. Hanson says the runway was designed for 95-percent of single propeller aircraft. Activities and use ranged from leisure to agricultural.
City officials say they want to transform it into a drag racing complex. Hanson says they have renamed it the Onawa Racing and Events Complex.
"We'd like to do more than racing," said Brad Hanson, Onawa City Administrator. "The primary function at this time, I believe would be a possible drag strip."
"We're looking at other thing such as a balloon festival."
Hanson says those who hangar planes currently on the property have until June 30th to vacate.
Hanson says plans for the racing complex are still being looked into. He says the city has no plans to sell any of the land away. Hanson says the city is considering leasing the land to a third-party who would control operations and assume liability for future activities. He says the city would negotiate a deal to profit from the contract.
On July 1st, the City of Onawa, Iowa, plans to ground its municipal airport for good. The idea had been long discussed but a decision from the city council came back in April to officially close it.
In the 20-plus years it was open, Onawa City Administrator Brad Hanson says the airport never produced a profit when you added in maintenance and upkeep costs and fees.
Currently, there are five hangars on the 70-acre property. Hanson says four are occupied but, only one hangar is routinely used.
Onawa Municipal Airport is an unmanned airport which makes it hard to give an exact number of how many planes use the airport monthly Hanson says. Though Hanson says the number is small.
The airports primary use has been for general aviation. Hanson says the runway was designed for 95-percent of single propeller aircraft's. Activities and use ranged from leisure to agricultural.
City officials say they want to transform it into a drag racing complex. Hanson says they have renamed it the Onawa Racing and Events Complex.
"We'd like to do more than racing," said Brad Hanson, Onawa City Administrator. "The primary function at this time, I believe would be a possible drag strip."
"We're looking at other thing such as a balloon festival."
Hanson says those who hangar planes currently on the property have until June 30th to vacate.
Hanson says plans for the racing complex are still being looked into. He says the city has no plans to sell any of the land away. Hanson says the city is considering leasing the land to a third-party who would control operations and assume liability for future activities. He says the city would negotiate a deal to profit from the contract.
The airport officially closes July 1st. Hanson says there is currently no timetable for the complex's construction or future plans.
Hanson also noted that to be on airport grounds, you must be accompanied by a city official or have prior approval to be on the grounds.
The Onawa Municipal Airport will close on July 1st, 2015.
