Pierce County will hold its fourth set of public meetings on Tacoma Narrows Airport’s master plan update on Jan. 29 in Gig Harbor. Several future development alternatives for the airport will be discussed and evaluated.
The Planning Advisory Committee consists of representatives from the aviation community, businesses, local and state government and more. It will meet from 2-4 p.m. at the Cottesmore of Life Care Cafe, 2909 14th Ave. NW in Gig Harbor. An open house will be held the same day from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Goodman Middle School Commons, 3701 38th Ave. NW in Gig Harbor. Both meetings are open to the public.
“We’ll consider different versions of what the airport could look like, and what is needed to achieve each vision,” said Deb Wallace, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities airport and ferry administrator. “This meeting is crucial to the master plan update, as we will be using the data and input we collected throughout the process to set the stage for the upcoming years.”
The proposed alternatives may include changes to the type and number of hangars, terminal facilities, water system, parking apron, and runway and taxiway configuration. Stakeholders and the public will also discuss a “no action” alternative.
“There has been considerable interest throughout the update process in the length of the runway,” Wallace said. “After our review of current airport traffic types and levels, a runway extension is not justified at this time. The issue may be revisited in future master plan updates.”
Once a preferred alternative is selected, it will be reflected in the Airport Layout Plan, which depicts both the existing facilities and the planned developments for the airport. The Airport Layout Plan will be presented to County Executive Pat McCarthy and the Pierce County Council for review and the Federal Aviation Administration for approval.
About the master plan update
The update process consists of five sets of meetings. The first three were held in 2013. At the final two meetings in 2014, the county and stakeholders will continue to evaluate the current state of the airport as well as potential alternatives to determine how best to meet the community’s long-term development needs. Future airport improvements will be planned to maximize their eligibility for federal funding.
This will be the first master plan update since Pierce County purchased the airport from the City of Tacoma in 2008. The last master plan update was completed in 2003.
Information about the update can be found at www.piercecountywa.org/tacomanarrows.
About Tacoma Narrows Airport
Tacoma Narrows Airport is a regional airport that is used for small business jet travel and general aviation. The airport serves businesses, recreational flying, flight instruction, medical services, the media, the military, and law enforcement.
Pierce County also owns Pierce County Airport-Thun Field in Puyallup.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Deb Wallace, Public Works and Utilities airport and ferry administrator
(253) 798-7109
deb.wallace@co.pierce.wa.us
Warren Hendrickson, Public Works and Utilities aviation and ferry planner
(253) 798-2428
warren.hendrickson@co.pierce.wa.us
