Submitted By: Matthew Grow
presenter
Presentation By: Matthew Grow
end
Department: Aviation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
title
Adopt Resolution 2025-25 to accept a Florida Department of Transportation grant to design and construct taxilane and apron rehabilitation at the Ocala International Airport in the amount of $706,829
end
OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence, Quality of Place
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
NA
body
BACKGROUND:
This grant request supports the rehabilitation of the existing pavement serving the airport's T-hangar campus. This area comprises eight buildings that accommodate 101 based aircraft, each generating monthly rental revenue for the airport through hangar leases. As a key source of ongoing operational income, the T-hangar campus is essential to the airport's economic sustainability.
The pavement in this area is among the oldest on the airfield, with sections significantly deteriorated due to age, weather exposure, and continuous use. The asphalt is unraveling, creating loose debris that poses a foreign object debris (FOD) hazard to aircraft, tenants, and airport operations personnel. This compromises safety and increases maintenance demands and liability exposure for the airport.
Timely rehabilitation will restore structural integrity, improve surface conditions, and reduce long-term maintenance costs. It will also enhance the overall user experience for tenants, preserving occupancy rates and strengthening the airport's reputation as a safe, well-maintained general aviation facility.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has committed to funding 80 percent of the total project cost. FDOT's participation is critical in making this rehabilitation financially feasible and underscores the shared responsibility in maintaining safe and efficient infrastructure for public-use airports.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
* The Airport Advisory Board has expressed its support for this project.
* McFarland ...
Click here for full text