Airport receives $1 million to defend air space

Old public works building to be removed

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) $1 million this month to make improvements and increase the safety of the airport.

GUC applied for, and received, the grant funding in order to purchase a parcel of county-owned land that currently houses the old public works building, said Gunnison County manager Matthew Birnie.
“The purchase has been in the works for quite some time,” said Birnie. “It was one of the reasons behind moving the public works offices to the new location.”
According to GUC manager Rick Lamport, the old public works facility, which is located near the airport’s runway, infringes upon the airspace of incoming and outgoing flights, creating a safety hazard.
“Federal regulations require there to be no structures coming into the air space,” said Lamport, “and the southern edges of the buildings do penetrate the area. By purchasing the land from the county, we will be able to protect the air space, and keep it clear for air navigation.”
Requirements tied to the funding mandate that the public works structures be removed within the next two to three years, and Lamport said GUC will make decisions about what to do with the property after the structures come down at next year’s master planning meeting.
After the grant announcement was made, Colorado senator Mark Udall said, “Colorado’s regional airports create critical connections between Main Street businesses and the broader world. I look forward to following how these improvements and upgrades will help make our airports safer and more efficient.”