Large issues unresolved over airport move

PANAMA CITY - With only 10 months before the planned opening of a new airport near West Bay, a Tuesday meeting of the Airport Authority pointed to a surprising number of unresolved issues still plaguing the airport relocation project. 
    From the necessity of a crosswind runway to final FAA approval of a main runway extension to reaching a lease agreement with general aviation pilots, the final shape of the new airport still is unclear. 
    "It's a pretty complex process," airport Executive Director Randy Curtis said. "Though, I don't think there have been any big surprises." 
    Project relocation manager Jeff Dealy of KBR told authority members that airport construction was on schedule and 61 percent complete. But the airport still had not reached a lease deal with Bay Aircraft Owners Inc., a consortium of private pilots based at the current airport in Panama City, airport attorney Michael Duncan said. 
    He said negotiations with the pilots' association were still unresolved over how its lease would transfer to the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport, set to open in May 2010. 
    The group of about 26 Bay Aircraft pilots long has been wrangling with the Airport Authority over the terms of their 30-year lease agreement, which has about 14 years left to run. 
    Duncan requested the Airport Authority have a special meeting within two weeks to discuss the matter, along with lease problems with Precision Air Services, a company that offers inspections and repairs for most general aviation aircraft. He said mediation with Precision had reached "an impasse." 
    It also remains unclear whether authority members will build the 5,000-foot crosswind runway, a proposed asphalt strip separate from the main concrete runway that could increase flight safety, a factor crucial to drawing larger carriers. 
    James Finch of Phoenix Construction Co., which has built the main 8,400-foot runway, told authority members Tuesday he wanted to withdraw from his option to build the crosswind runway, allowing the board to re-bid the project. 
    The option by Phoenix to build the second runway at the same rate structure as the first has expired. Board members say given the uncertain economy, it remains unclear whether rebidding the project will cost the airport more or less money. 
    Curtis said Tuesday the reality of a $17 million secondary runway will depend on how other financial considerations "play out" as the airport moves forward. 
    The airport is also waiting final Federal Aviation Administration approval on extending the 8,400-foot main runway to 10,000 feet, which has long been a goal for the new airport. 
    Airport Executive Director Randy Curtis said approval is being held until the airport and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection could agree on a final consent order spelling out corrective measures for storm-water discharge violations. 
    The DEP launched an investigation of the airport's construction after heavy rains in April, claiming noncompliance with construction permits. 
    On Tuesday, Roy Willett of KBR told board members that DEP was being given weekly progress reports and that825acresofthe1,400-acre construction site was in a state of "final stabilization." Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill requested that all board members receive daily e-mails on the progress.