The Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport (BKV) Master Plan Update took place at a workshop on Tuesday, April 4th. Senior Vice President of Aviation Planning, Philip Jufko from Michael Baker International reviewed the planning process with the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and presented the update.
The Master Plan is divided into three timeframes or phases. The group of projects is still in Phase 1, which is estimated to complete in 2019. Phase 2 is estimated to span from 2020-2024, and Phase 3 to span from 2025 – 2034.
Here is a document that gives the cost projections for phase 1, 2, and 3 projects:
Master Plan Airport Costs Phases 1, 2, 3
Mr. Jufko explained that specific numbers were not available going into the original Master Plan, but those numbers are now available. Additionally, the FAA and FDOT have supported a process which has allowed for a business plan component as a unique part of this Master Plan. Aerial photography and new mapping were a part of the decision-making process.
Some of the objectives of the Master Plan were vetted previously by the Technical Advisory Committee will be to optimize the operational efficiency, effectiveness, capability and safety of the airport and to enhance the economic and social value of the airport. Several agencies provide funding, and Jufko said “it’s a competitive environment, airports do compete for those funds.”
Another early objective is to “Ensure that current and future airport plans are environmentally compatible and in harmony with local and regional plans and objectives.” Jufko mentioned that some of the area wildlife was found not to be compatible with the plan, however, additional fencing appears in the Master Plan.
Jufko stated, “We wanted to make sure that folks were informed every step of the way … and boy, did we get input.” The public has been invited to the sixteen member Technical Advisory Committee Meetings, Community Briefings, Public Open Houses and BOCC meetings. The Airport Website also has information at http://flybkv.com/guiding-docs.
BKV is unique in that a large component of revenue generated is from leased land used by non-aviation entities. It’s also described as a “very active airport,” with total volume of operations expected to increase in the short and long terms.
When discussing Facility Requirements, Jufko mentioned that some of the Federal standards have changed since 2006, and are a part of this update. Aside from the whole design, important features and improvements to consider is lighting, markings and signage, as well as security. Roads and pavement of runways are the highest maintenance expenses for airports.
The list of improvements and requirements to runways and taxiways include an 1,000 foot extension of runway 9-27, which runs parallel to Spring Hill Drive. This would also require the extension of Taxiway A to accommodate the extension. Paving of the runway shoulders and associated taxiways, as well as providing necessary connecting access is also shown in the plan. This project is to take place in Phase 3.
Other airport needs were presented with consideration for future commerce at the airport. Jufko spoke about the addition of Maintenance / Restore /Overhaul (MRO) hangars and a UFA Customs facility to meet the needs of existing and future cargo companies.
Presently, there are three types of hangars in several places throughout the airport property. Part of the plan is to consolidate the location of the hangars, which are of different sizes.
T-hangars serve as individual storage for small aircraft, and the other types serve as conventional or corporate storage. The Master Plan also calls for at least fifty additional T-hangars, and 137,925 square yards of conventional or corporate hangar space.
Two plans were presented for the future airfield, which highlighted development constraints and impact to land and existing structures. The Westside plan, which features development and additions on the side parallel to Spring Hill Drive has the largest impact potential and includes a realignment of Aerial Way, and extensions of Technology Drive and Telcom Drive. The Eastside plan includes the extension of the runway, additional hangars and facilities.
While beginning the discussion of the Eastside plan, Mr. Jufko stated that older T-hangars in that area were “falling apart or are reaching their useful service life.” Commissioner Nick Nicholson interjected at this point, and said, “That is not true. We’ve had those hangars looked into, they’re structurally sound, there’s nothing wrong with them.” Jufko explained he made the statement with regard to a twenty-year plan, to which Commissioner Nicholson reiterated his statement and added that the hangars were assessed by the county’s Building Department and that he was speaking as a professional Structural Engineer.
Mr. Jufko broadened the focus to consider all existing structures twenty years in the future, and consider the “best developable use of this area.” He said that another one of the issues seen in the development plan was the amount and strength of the pavement and what would be required in the future to accommodate larger aircraft. Jufko further explained that “One of the long-term resolutions was to look at hangar usage in that area, and one of the solutions was to relocate those hangars to another location.” Furthermore, larger hangars will be built to accommodate larger aircraft.
Commissioner John Allocco asked how common an 8000 foot runway is in local airports nearby. Jufko explained that what’s driving longer runways and larger aircraft is businesses coming into towns that require them. He further explained that in order to get FAA approval for runway extension, it needs to be justified by several factors that will point to future business requirements.
Chairman Dukes addressed the new Commissioners, and mentioned that in the recent past, The BOCC reached out to a national carrier with wide-bodied aircraft, and that the subject of “the extra 1000 feet” again came up as a requirement for this carrier to relocate to BKV.
An 8000 foot runway is also required by aircraft doing business with the government.
Additional facilities and hangars will begin on the East side of the airfield, since water and power is already available in that area. This part of BKV runs parallel to US 41. Plans for this section include an MRO facility, Fixed Base Operator (FBO) maintenance hangar, 144 T-hangars, 5 corporate hangars and airport maintenance and fueling facilities. It will also include additional access from Sgt. Lea Mills Boulevard.
On the West side, additional maintenance facilities, 10 corporate hangars and commercial aviation development are planned. With the additional facilities, extensions of Technology Drive and Telcom Drive will be extended to provide access.
The Airport Business Plan was discussed, which included a review of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). One of the threats to BKV is listed as ‘Unsettled Governance.” Commissioner Nicholson asked about the item, and Mr. Jufko explained that the Board of County Commissioners did not have control of the airport at the time of writing of the of the SWOT Analysis.
The Airport Economic Impact presentation included employment and financial information, with over 8,000 people employed in aviation, as well as other areas. According to Mr. Jufko, the total economic output that BKV is generating is $1,349,488,949. Commissioner John Mitten stated that “in business terms, this (BKV) is the county’s hero product.”
According to several citizens in attendance, this was less a workshop than a presentation of the Master Plan, which has already been presented. Commissioner Nicholson reiterated this during his final comments, and again expressed his concerns that incorrect information still appears at this time where updates are still needed. Several stated that they were still seeking answers to questions, such as the number of airport operators that were involved in constructing the master plan. Other questions regarding the air traffic control tower, and leadership at the airport were mentioned.
There was brief discussion among the Commissioners of starting a new Airport Committee, but decided that existing problems should be fixed before installing an additional committee.
Time ran out before all questions posed during the meeting and remaining public comment could be heard. Chairman Dukes ended this portion of the meeting, and instructed the Administrator to set up another workshop where the rest of comments can be heard, and public questions can be addressed. The new workshop date is pending.