By Joe Bachman

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — On heels of the news of a potential $4 Million upgrade to Alexander Field through the proposed state budget, the city has various plans for how to put that money to use.

According to a December 2016 Development Funding Request, Alexander Field officials have outlined costs at the local level, including maintenance, operational costs, and small equipment and supplies. However, receiving funds from state and federal sources would address much more than costs commonly associated with local funds.

According to the report:

The FAA has determined that a partial parallel taxiway needs to be constructed in 2017 and Runway 12/30 needs reconstruction in 2018. Prior to these developments trees which are obstructions to the approaches to this runway need to be removed. Those projects stretch out through 2018 and in the meantime new priorities have arisen.

This also includes ground service needs that aren’t just related to the expected increased traffic from Sand Valley Golf Resort visitors. However, the more urgent development projects include those of short-term increases of traffic to the area.

Apron space and parking will be addressed through the funding, as well as an upgrade to fuel storage tanks and airport hangars.

Hangars will be critical in offering security, safety, and protection to aircraft. The current lack of hangars large enough to accommodate large aircraft has been mentioned as a priority numerous times by aircraft operators. In some instances aircraft that were parked on the apron overnight would have preferred hangar space if it were available.

City officials are hopeful that the budget can move forward which means the inclusion of the $4 Million improvements to Alexander Field. Stay tuned for more updates.