Hot Springs seeks FAA grants for $5.3 million taxiway shift and $1.04 million hangar project; local shares and timelines discussed

Don Rowlett, airport director, told the board the city plans to file and accept FAA grant funds for two Hot Springs Memorial Airport projects.

Rowlett said the taxiway shift is phase 2 of a three‑phase project (FAA project number 2402527) with a stated total project cost of $5,313,081; he said the FAA would cover 95% of that cost, the state would cover 5% up to $250,000, and that the local contribution would be $15,655 (budget adjustment needed). Rowlett said phase 2 will work on Taxiway Bravo and Taxiway Alpha, moving the main taxiway south of its current position, and estimated construction durations of about 120 days for Taxiway Alpha and 20 days for Taxiway Bravo.

Rowlett also presented a request to file and accept FAA and Arkansas Division of Aeronautics assistance for an aircraft storage hangar (project number 2400193) adjacent to the south ramp; he listed total project cost of $1,043,507 and said the FAA would provide 95% and a local budget adjustment of $151,882 would be required for that project. At the agenda meeting staff said this 80-by-70 hangar would be one of the first new hangars built at the field in about a decade, if approved.

Both items are scheduled for formal consideration at the Aug. 5 board meeting. No formal votes were taken at the agenda meeting.