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Dexter officials looking at plan for new airport terminal building

DEXTER — Dexter Regional Airport was awarded $760,000 several months ago for a new terminal building and reconstruction of the access road.

A new 800-square-foot terminal building would replace the existing 50-year-old, 200-square-foot terminal building that is owned by the nine-member Dexter Aero Club

The current structure is beyond its useful life and does not meet current standards or needs for a basic general aviation terminal building. It also does not meet federal ADA requirements or energy efficiency standards. The new terminal will enhance and meet all of these needs and requirements.

Photo courtesy of Teb Luebbers
CLUB HOME – The Dexter Aero Club home at the Dexter Regional Airport.

In order for the project to proceed, the town of Dexter and Dexter Aero Club need to come to an agreement for the group to move out of its building in order for the structure to be demolished for the new terminal building. 

This was a topic of discussion during a town council meeting on Sept. 8 and could be an agenda item for action at the October session.

Town Manager Trampas King said the needed site of the new terminal building is the current home of the Dexter Aero Club. He said a plan for the group to vacate needs to happen quickly with the grant, potentially to be voted on at next month’s council meeting.

“I have had a couple of meetings with them and we need to make it work with them,” King said, saying the grant for a new terminal building and access road is a great opportunity for the community. He said additional funds would be needed for the road work, such as other grant funds, as the total airport project costs would be near $1 million.

The Dexter Aero Club rents hangar space at its building, and group members estimate $38,000 in these revenues would be lost without the structure. 

The club hopes a similar amount could be provided from the town to make this up as it considers using these funds and a loan of some kind to purchase an existing building at the airport or have one constructed. 

Various options will be explored to devise a plan to bring forward next month.

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