To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
prepared
Michael Fronapfel, Executive Director, Centennial Airport and Lauren Wiarda, Director of Planning and Development, Centennial Airport
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Subject:
title
Approval of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grants 3-08-0029-061-2024 and 3-08-0029-062-2024 for the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority Board (ACPAA) is requesting formal approval of AIP Grants 3-08-0029-061-2024 and 3-08-0029-062-2024 and authorize the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners to sign any grant documents associated with the application, acceptance, and closing of these grants.
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Background and Discussion:
At a study session with the Board of County Commissioners on June 3, 2024, the ACPAA discussed the potential of receiving three Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants this year from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including AIP Grant 3-08-0029-061-2024 for $8,421,053.00 that will fund major repairs at the Air Traffic Control Tower and AIP Grant 3-08-0029-062-2024 for $5,333,333.00 that will fund the rehabilitation of Taxiways C and D and rehabilitation of the electrical lighting on Taxiway D.
AIP Grant 3-08-0029-061-2024 is a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Airport Terminals Program (ATP) Grant distributed through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) from the Federal Aviation Administration. This grant is for major repairs to the Air Traffic Control Tower which is nearly 40 years old and requires significant repairs to extend its useful life. The Tower at Centennial Airport is one of the top 20 busiest in the country and many of its current systems are obsolete and have frequent breakdowns. The systems which will be repaired under this grant include the elevator, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. The Airport is currently in the design phase. Once the grant is received, the airport anticipates repairs to begin January 2025 and completed in early 2026.
AIP Grant 3-08-0029-062-2024 is for the rehabilitation of Taxiways C and D and rehabilitation of the electrical lighting on Taxiway D. Portions of Taxiway C were last rehabilitated in 2008 and Taxiway D was constructed in 2015. Since then, pavement has been maintained through preventative maintenance but has continued to deteriorate. In 2023, the Colorado Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division evaluated all pavement at Centennial Airport. The Pavement Condition Indexes (PCI) on Taxiways C and D indicated that repairs are necessary due to weathering and longitudinal and transverse cracking. Construction is anticipated to begin immediately upon receipt of grant.
Alternatives: The Board could elect not to approve receipt of the Grants. However, should the Grants not be signed within a reasonable timeframe, the Airport may risk losing the Grants altogether and will have to find alternative methods of funding for the above project.
Fiscal Impact: AIP grant funds for 3-08-0029-062-2024 (5,333,333.00) will cover 90% of the cost of the federal project; the Airport Authority will be responsible for the remaining 10% match which is included in the 2024 budget. AIP grant funds for 3-08-0029-061-2024 ($8,421,053.00) will cover 95% of the cost of the federal project; the Airport Authority will be responsible for the remaining 5% match which is included in the 2024 budget
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☒Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Concurrence: Airport staff recommends approval of AIP Grants 3-08-0029-061-2024 and 3-08-0029-062-2024 to be signed upon receipt.
Resolution: Attached is a copy of the draft resolution.