City council approves development of Mid-Way Regional Airport plan

During its Sept. 19 meeting, the Waxahachie City Council approved the development and update to the Airport Master Plan Project for Mid-Way Regional Airport.

According to city staff, the master plan was last updated in 2012. Director of administrative services Richard Abernethy said it is recommended the plan be updated every 10 years.

“The airport master plan really is a long-range plan for planning the airport,” he said. “It’s kind of your to-do list of all the things you need to do over the next 10 years – capital improvement programs, zoning, facility needs, etc. – that guiding principle you need.”

The airport has a five-year capital improvement program tied to TxDOT’s 90/10 grant program, meaning the majority of improvements will be paid for by the state agency.

“Basically, TxDOT will pay for 90% of the project, and then the 10% is funded through a local match by the airport,” Abernethy said.

The master plan is listed as one of the projects that fall under this grant.

The estimated project cost is $200,000, of which the TxDOT grant will cover $180,000. The remaining $20,000 will be covered by the airport’s American Rescue Plan Act funds.

In May 2022, the airport board approved moviiing forward with the master plan, and staff began working with TxDOT on project details.

Abernethy said TxDOT will issue the Request for Qualifications to select the engineering firm to update the master plan, as well as alternative bids to update the rates and charges, business plan, minimum standards, and rules and regulations.

The Midlothian City Council approved the resolution Sept. 13. With Waxahachie’s approval, the next step is to receive approval by the Texas Transportation Commission on Oct. 27.

On Sept. 8, the airport board named the airport manager as the project representative and decided the consultant selection committee will include the airport board chair, a staff representative from each city and one airport board member from each city.

Originally published September 23, 2022 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/business/city-council-approves-development-of-mid-way-regional-airport-plan/article_13e9e1ac-3bae-11ed-897c-43b86bd9a875.html