It's the biggest project since the Austin Municipal Airport was built.

It dwarfs the airport extension that occurred in the mid-1980s.

And, it's happening now.

Sometime this summer, the relocation of a portion of Mower County No. 3 will take place.

It's possible that late this year, a new administration building will be constructed.

There could be grading for the actual runway extension or other preparation work for the new taxi-way for aircraft.

Is it any wonder, Jon W. Erichson, director of public works, is excited about the project?

Well, not when the price tag is $10 million. (See related article for background and details of the project.)

"That figure includes everything and it's only an estimate," Erichson said. "That's the state and federal grants we're accessing. Everything."

Recently, the city of Austin acquired the existing administration building plus the so-called "Dibble" hangar east of that structure with a state grant for $130,000.

"They had to go," Erichson said, The buildings were in the clear zone, according to Erichson,

and a new structure will be built near the Hormel (Foods Corporation) hangar along 21st Street SE (U.S. Highway 218 South).

Hormel Foods Corporation already has constructed a new hangar for its aircraft further south along U.S. Highway 218 South near the Farm Service Center complex of government and private sector buildings.

The city also acquired the older Hormel Foods hangar with a state grant and it will replace the Dibble hangar, which will be demolished along with the administration building.

Part of the reason for the relocation of the administration building is the new instrument landing capability the Austin Municipal Airport will have when the project is completed.

The city also awarded a contract to Wallace Bustad Crane Service for the demolishing of homes and other buildings along the stretch of Mower County Highway 3 that will be relocated in Austin Township.

Negotiations continue with hold-out property owners, but the process is moving along, Erichson said.

Only some of the oak trees will need to be cut down and they will be harvested by a logging crew when that contract is awarded.

Highway 3 will be relocated south of its present location to intersect with U.S. Highway 218 S. and Mower County Highway 45, which becomes 10th Drive SE.

Erichson said the combination of state and federal monies is helping reduce the city's financial obligation. For instance, an environmental assessment worksheet study also was paid with state grant monies.

The city's mitigation of seven or eight acres of wetlands is also an example of the creative thinking being utilized in the airport expansion project.

"We're looking at the possibility of acquiring those wetlands acres somewhere north of Austin in the watershed, where they could also help us with flood control," Erichson said.

Thus far, the city has accessed three federal grants and two state grants with more of each being sought to fund the project.

Erichson said he is "confident" the project will not be side-tracked by any funding shortage at the federal or state level. "There's no indication at this time that that will happen," he said. "These are grants we are seeking and the money is there. They are funded and there are enough different sources for the money that we are confident the project can proceed in the phases we have planned for it."

Erichson said the city does not plan to get into building speculation hangars for flying enthusiasts.

The June 1998 windstorm damaged many old hangars at the airport and they and others were razed in anticipation of the expansion project.

However, Erichson said private aircraft owners could build their own hangars as time goes on and the "need arises."

Also, the new administration building will be just that: a small structure designed to house Austin Aeroflight's employees, provide public restrooms and a minimum of activities designed to be essential in the operation of the airport.

It will not be a true "airport terminal building," Erichson said.

What residents will see in the next two to three years is a complete make over of Austin Municipal Airport, plus an expansion of runways and taxi-way to accommodate modern aircraft.

And the infusion of some $10 million in the local economy.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com