By Staff
Rountree's operator would build facilities
Leada DeVaney, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle's Rountree Field could be home to as many as 16 new private hangars as soon as next year.
Hartselle's City Council is considering giving airport manager Stoney Powell a 30-year lease on land at the airport to be used for hangar construction. Powell's company, Blackstone Rotorcraft, will construct and maintain the hangars and pay for all insurance and utilities. According to the lease, the city will take over the hangars at the end of the 30-year lease.
If the airport is closed during that time, the city will be responsible for the lease agreement. However, if Powell no longer operates the airport, the city is under no obligation to continue the contract.
Powell said he expects to spend some $600,000-$700,000 to construct the hangars, which could house as many as 26 small planes.
"All of those planes are required to pay ad valoreum tax and a large portion of that goes to the school system and the city," Councilman Frank Jones said.
Powell said there are currently 36 people on a waiting list for hangar space at the airport. Once the plan is approved, the construction is expected to take five to six months.
The plan has been sent to City Attorney Larry Madison. It will be discussed again at the council's Feb. 9 work session.