Buyer's request to assume Hangar 3 tabled after questions about city'funded relocation, power and soils

The Hurricane Airport Board on Tuesday tabled a buyer's request to assume the lease for Hangar 3 after members said they need clearer answers about whether the city would or could move the hangar, who would pay for site preparation, and the hangar's unauthorized power connection.

Staff member (Speaker 4) summarized the lease history, saying the city approved a 2018 lease with language that "the city can move that, at the city's expense, can relocate that and give the hangar owner a new spot and a new lease." He said the lease was reassigned in 2024 to William Johnston and that prospective buyer Paul Mona told staff he would only purchase the hangar if the city agreed to move it.

Board members raised operational and safety concerns about the hangar's current spot south of the main taxiway and discussed alternatives, including relocating the structure to create transient tie-down spots. Committee member (Speaker 8) said moving the hangar could free room for additional transient parking and improve ramp visibility; another member observed the siting is atypical for safety and visibility.

The board learned during AWOS work that the hangar had an unauthorized power feed. "It was a wire bundle about this big around ... completely unauthorized," Committee member (Speaker 7) said, adding that the contractor hit the conduit during boring and the board declined to repair the unauthorized line, leaving the hangar without power.

Members also emphasized unresolved site-preparation and geotechnical issues. Staff and engineers are finalizing a joint utility and drainage plan and a settlement test north of the field is producing data that could change soil recommendations. "You need to let him consider it and do his own [soil mitigation]," Staff member (Speaker 1) said of the prospective buyer's potential paving plans, noting that simple asphalt may not be sufficient without prior geotechnical work.

Because Paul Mona was not present to describe his expectations and timing, Committee member (Speaker 1) moved to table the new business item and the motion passed. The board directed that Mona be invited to return with clearer plans about whether he expects the city to relocate the hangar, whether he will pay for site work, and whether he wants permission to pave access at his own expense if the city declines relocation.

The item will return to the board when the prospective buyer can attend and staff can supply the utility/drainage study and geotechnical guidance.