Banks, bird studies part of Fort Smith airport meeting

story by Marla Cantrell
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On Tuesday (May 25) the Fort Smith Commission approved a letter of intent that could pave the way for a new financial institution to be built on airport land.

Broker Jimmy Bell, president of Jimmy Bell Real Estate in Van Buren, is working as the agent for the company, which has not been named. John Parker, airport director, told the commission that Bell is interested in a three-acre tract at the intersection of McKennon Blvd. and Phoenix Avenue. Bell’s client will have 180 days to obtain all required approvals to begin the project and the airport will have to secure FAA approval before the project begins.

Parker said there should eventually be two buildings on the site. The first will be a one-story structure; the second will be two-stories, and will have space to lease to other businesses. The financial institution will lease the land from the airport; however, those details have not yet been negotiated.

The commission also discussed a year-long wildlife hazard assessment that will soon be underway.  Parker said the study is required by the FAA because of a “triggering event” at the airport involving wildlife. He said he was unaware of the details surrounding the incident; however, he did say many area airports are being asked to conduct the studies.

He estimated the cost of the assessment will be approximately $100,000 and said the FAA will absorb 95% of that amount with discretionary funding.

“It is somewhat of a reaction to the bird strike that landed the plane in the Hudson River,” said Tim House, who was at the meeting representing LPA, one of the six companies interested in conducting the wildlife study.

The winning company has not been selected. Parker said that will happen after fee negotiations are completed and FAA funding has been secured.

Six bids for the construction of the west corporate taxiway were opened just hours before the meeting. The low bid of $416,000 was from Wilson Brothers Construction in Alma. The highest bid received was $693,000. Wilson Brothers Construction has a work history at the airport, including 11 acres of concrete work.

The work will only begin if the airport gets 90/10 grant from the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics. Parker expects to have that answer sometime in June.

The next commission meeting will be held on June 22.