County OKs Projects At Airports
MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County officials are moving ahead with improvements at the county airports in both Jamestown and Dunkirk.
During the county legislature meeting, officials approved a project to replace two existing bi-fold hangar doors with new electric bi-fold doors at the Dunkirk airport. The cost is $508,120. Of that amount, the state will pay for 90% and the county is responsible for the remaining 10%.
The legislature also approved a project to improve the restaurant and replace the heating system in an existing terminal at the Jamestown airport. This project will cost $1,208,000. Like the previous project, the state will pay for 90% and the county is responsible for the remaining 10%.
During committee discussions, Airports Manager Shannon Fischer said the work would help improve the restaurant, should commercial service return. However even if commercial air service doesn’t return, these improvements will help modernize the restaurant, making it easier to rent out.
In the fall of 2022, the legislature approved Studio D Catering to lease the restaurant for $500 a month. In a follow up email, Fischer said the catering company ended its lease and left in September.
Fischer said they will soon have a Request For Proposals for the restaurant space coming out soon. “We are looking for a great partner … a business that will serve the community, has a good following, good reputation, good coordination and good vision,” she said.
Also during the committee meeting, Fischer gave an update on the prospect of commercial air service. She said Phase I of their application has been given to County Executive PJ Wendel and said they will soon be starting Phase II.
One of the things Phase I has examined is the routes that travelers are most interested in taking. The top three destinations appear to be New York City, Florida and Las Vegas.
Fischer hopes to have more details to share in August.
During the full legislature meeting, Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, said he normally votes against airport grants but because this one doesn’t include federal funds, he voted in favor of it.
Scudder noted that by not using federal funds “there are no strings attached,” meaning that the government is not requiring the county to continue to keep the airport open for the duration of the grant.