The Durango-La Plata County Airport has been given the green light to pursue a $3.9 million purchase of 12.5 acres to help meet future expansion needs.
La Plata County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously authorized the airport to enter the contract agreement. Durango city councilors approved the matter last week.
The proposed expansion was announced earlier this month, which would have the airport acquire the property adjacent to the airport, on the northeast side.
The purchase will be funded by existing fees from the “Passenger Facility Charge,” a $4.50 fee assessed to every airport passenger. That way, the expansion would be funded entirely by people who use the airport, said airport director Tony Vicari.
The land is currently owned by Koinonia Properties LLC, which rents the two buildings on the property to Crossfire LLC, an oil and energy company.
Vicari said for at least two years, while long-term plans for the property are sorted out, the airport will continue to lease the buildings to Crossfire, bringing in about $12,000 to $16,000 a month.
Vicari also said about 92 percent of the purchasing price is eligible for a reimbursement from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The land is likely going to be used for passenger vehicle parking expansion, rental car facilities and a circulation road or airport road realignment, which could open land for possible terminal expansion, Vicari said.