Lewiston council backs short-term, split-operations approach as Airport Park lease appraisal jumps

The Lewiston City Council on Nov. 3 discussed a proposed lease increase for Airport Park after the Airport Authority provided an appraisal that raised a suggested annual lease figure from the city's renewal-rate amount (about $12,213.53) toward an appraised value of $84,800. Justin Glenn, Lewiston's facilities, parks and recreation director, recommended a short-term, split-operations approach that would divide the park into functional zones, pursue a one-year bridge lease to allow negotiations with the airport authority and seek private or public partners to offset costs.

The recommendation matters because Airport Park is a heavily used city facility with four softball fields and multiple active amenities. Glenn told the council the park generated roughly 217 rentals and about $16,000 in non-appropriated revenue in the last year while the city's operating costs for the site exceeded that amount. He estimated about 140,000 annual visits to the park and said a sudden lease increase would have material budget implications for parks operations and the city's FY26 planning.

Glenn said the appraisal and proposed increase reflect federal requirements for fair-market valuation of non-aeronautical airport property and raised questions about the comparability of appraisal comps used. He presented four possible responses: absorb the cost, decline lease renewal and return assets to the airport, split the park into operational zones and seek a short-term lease while pursuing partners (his recommendation), or maintain status quo. "Course of action 3 ... is to split the park into operational areas and look at a short term lease," Glenn said.

Councilors asked detailed budget questions and pressed staff about ownership and FAA rules. Councilor Specklemeyer asked whether combined annual costs would reach about $112,000 when lease and operating costs were tallied; Glenn acknowledged that combining lease and operating costs produced a much larger annual city cost. Airport board chair Gary Peters explained the FAA requirement that airport property be priced at fair market value under grant assurances. Councilors also asked how improvements (for lighting or parking) would affect future appraisals and whether the proposed airport term included a CPI escalation; staff said the draft had a shorter initial term then a longer-term provision with CPI adjustments.

There was no formal council vote. Director Glenn said he and the city attorney would begin negotiations with the Airport Authority under the recommended short-term, zone-based approach and would return to the council with any negotiated terms and a resolution for formal action. Several councilors voiced support: "I feel comfortable with moving forward with option 3," Councilor Klein said. The council did not adopt or appropriate funds during the meeting; any fiscal impacts will be decided in later proceedings when staff return with recommended terms and possible budget requests.

Background and next steps: staff will open formal discussions with the Airport Authority, seek appraisal clarifications or a city appraisal as needed, vet partnership opportunities for individual park zones, and return to council with proposed lease language and any requested budget changes. The council emphasized the need for clear cost comparisons and the identification of funding sources before any long-term commitment.