Airport manager outlines runway closure, controller hire and hangar leasing

Elkhart City's airport manager told the board that runway 1836 will undergo surface milling and paving under an FAA grant, with the first phase closing the runway from May 4 through May 30 and intermittent closures to follow for curing and subsequent phases. Mr. Jones, the airport manager, said the project is funded by an FAA grant and that painting of runway 927 was delayed because the contractor was committed to a military project.

The manager said tower equipment is largely installed but that one AWOS/AWAS unit has been producing radio interference; the equipment vendor (who installed the system) is expected to travel from California to troubleshoot the problem. He also said the airport is preparing a five-year capital request plan (windows, roofs and major equipment) that will be submitted Friday to support future grant applications.

Mr. Jones said the board will extend an employment offer to Rodney Potter, a 33-year veteran air traffic controller currently at South Bend who is expected to start late July. "We'll be back at three full-time controllers and one part-timer," Jones said, describing the staffing level the airport expects after Potter's hire.

The manager reported leasing momentum for new 70-series hangars, saying five of 10 lease spaces have been taken, and noted other facility improvements: a newly opened community garden, a reopened canoe/kayak launch, and forthcoming replacement of garage and pedestrian doors at the old maintenance building, including a new egress for safety reasons.

Why it matters: the runway work will affect operations and scheduling at the airport for weeks, and the projected controller hire would restore full-time operational staffing; the capital plan and active hangar leasing point to near-term infrastructure needs and revenue for the airport.

Board members asked operational questions about contractor timing and pavement sequencing and received schedule details; no formal action was required on the manager's report. The board will consider related contract approvals and funding items in later agenda items.