Athens Airport master planning meeting held

Pictured are, from left , Jerry Don Vaught, Mayor, City of Athens; Frank McIllwain, Garver ,Texas Aviation Director; Ken Geeslin, Henderson County, Commissioner Precinct 4; Michael Bynum, County Treasurer, Henderson County; Jess Laird, President, Athens Economic Development Corporation. (Courtesy photo)
Pictured are, from left , Jerry Don Vaught, Mayor, City of Athens; Frank McIllwain, Garver ,Texas Aviation Director; Ken Geeslin, Henderson County Commissioner Precinct 4; Michael Bynum, Henderson County County Treasurer; Jess Laird, President, Athens Economic Development Corporation. (Courtesy photo)

City of Athens press release

On April 22, the City of Athens hosted the first meeting of the Airport Planning Advisory Committee (APAC) to kick off a new master planning process for Athens Municipal Airport.

Earlier this year, the City received at 90:10 matching grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to complete a new master plan of the airport. The City’s required match for the grant was $18,500. The new airport master plan will help City officials forecast demand at the airport and begin planning for facility improvements that future demand will necessitate.

The APAC is comprised of various local officials, including members of the Athens City Council and the Athens Airport Advisory Board as well as representatives from Henderson County and Athens Economic Development Corporation. The APAC is tasked with participating in the master planning process and updating the public on the progress of the plan during the duration of the project.

Also present at the kickoff meeting was Robert Jackson, Regional Aviation Planner for TxDOT Aviation Division and representatives from Garver, the engineering, planning and environmental services firm hired to draft the airport master plan.
The next APAC meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Aug. 15, at noon at the Athens Partnership Center. The City also hopes to in the future directly involve the community in the master planning process and plans to schedule an open house to facilitate a discussion of the master planning process.

Members of the public are always welcomed and encouraged to attend APAC meetings.