Opinion Letter of October 17, 2011, from Willis, Kevin C., Manager to Blum, Ron, Mayor, St. Clair, Mo.

Airport(s):

St. Clair Regional Airport (K39)

Abstract:

The Office of Airport Compliance and Management Analysis followed up on a meeting/teleconference in which the Mayor expressed a desire to close the St. Clair Regional Airport. The letter outlines steps that the City of St. Clair, Missouri, would need to take to close the Airport. These steps include the following.|(1) Submitting a request for release demonstrating how the airport closure will provide a benefit to civil aviation, not just a benefit to the City. (p. 1).|(2) Demonstrating how the airport assets and unamortized grant funds will be transferred to another airport on the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems located in the vicinity of the Airport and how the receiving airport will use the new assets to enhance civil aviation. The FAA must concur with this assessment. (pp. 1-2).|(3) Making the unamortized portion of its AIP grant funds available for eligible AIP projects subject to approval by FAA’s regional office. The City may not use the proceeds from the sale of the airport property to repay the unamortized AIP grant funds. (p. 2).|(4) Providing an independent appraisal of the fair market value of the property at the highest and best commercial use satisfactory to the FAA. The appraisal reports must meet the FAA appraisal document standards discussed in FAA Advisory Circular 150.5100-17 Chapter 2. (p. 2).|(5) Completing an appropriate environmental review in accordance with NEPA addressing the effects of closing the airport. (p. 2).|(6) Preparing a draft RFP solely for the sale of the land. (p. 2).|(7) Selling the Airport through an open, competitive bidding process if FAA makes a decision permitting the sale of the Airport. The bids must be reviewed by FAA. (p. 2).|(8) If sold, conducting a property settlement, transfer of assets, and deed of release and place the sale proceeds in escrow at the time of closing. (p. 3).|(9) After settlement, consenting to the FAA’s publication of a 30-day advance public notice in the Federal Register announcing the closing of the Airport. (p. 3).

Index Terms:

Airport sale|Request for Proposal (RFP)