b'56 GWS GENERAL AVIATION scholarship for high school seniors pursuing aviation careers. TheAccording to the lease terms, the city will receive:Friends group also provides and maintains the airports courtesy car.1% of the nonprofits gross income from lease activationuntil 2030;Wholesale Changes5% from 2031 to 2035;In the April 2023 city elections, pro-airport 7.5% from 2036 to 2040; and Councilor Wussow became Mayor Wussow. In addition, Erin Zalinski, a former local 10% from 2040 to 2044.business owner and Friends of GlenwoodPrior to this agreement, the city used $200,000 from its General Springs Airport member, was elected to cityFund for airport improvements. This amount, plus 3.5% interest council and became the liaison with the airportper annum, will be repaid by the nonprofit annually in the amount commission. Ive always been someoneof 50% of annual net fuel sales (less credit card fees). who felt that as a community member and aERIN ZALINSKI Per the pro forma, total revenues for 2024 (mainly from fuel business owner, you dont know the value ofsales and land leases) are estimated at $284,500; so the city an asset until its gone, Zalinski remarks. Why would we ever let itwill receive $2,845 (1%). KGWS Sumers Airpark estimates its [the airport] go until we know what its potential can be? 2024 net income at $2,755. Also according to the pro forma, the Not long after the new city leaders were elected, a group ofnonprofit group expects to repay the General Fund loan in full by residents presented a petition to officially voice concern about the2030; so its net income should increase from $2,490 in 2029 to ease at which city-owned properties could be closed, sold and/ $32,184 in 2030. or developed. In January 2024, citizens voted to change the cityRippy notes that the goal isnt to be profitable in the charter accordingly. Now, annexations and development of city- conventional business sense, as 100% of the money has to be owned land are subject to local referenda.reinvested in the airport. This airport has always been user-It was fortuitous that after we got the city charter amendmentfunded, he adds.that the airport has to stay in the basic same configuration unlessFuel sales, a primary revenue source, initially presented a Catch the votes of the people want to do something else, says Rippy.22. Because the nonprofit was new, it did not yet have sufficient As we had this last vote, it was clear the citizens want thefunds to buy its first load of fuel to then resell to customers. Rippy airport. solved the issue by fronting the cost of the first 8,000 gallons. In April 2024, Glenwood Springs City Council approved a lease and concession agreement that transfers management of theThe Prodigal Daughter Returnsairport to the recently formed KGWS Sumers Airpark nonprofitWith the ink on its lease agreement still drying, GWS did not have group. The 20-year agreement with two 10-year renewals wasan airport manager.adopted in a 5-1 vote.At first, the new management group thought about putting out The lease agreement was signed on May 1, 2024, anda request for proposals, but immediately realized that for-profit Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport was promptly renamedmanagement companies would not be feasible. KGWS Sumers Airpark. The lease allows the Airpark group toRippy consequently reached out to Helm, and, as luck would erect new hangars, sublease airport space for commercial andhave it, she and her husband had decided to move back from noncommercial aviation activities, establish an FBO, provide fuelNew Zealand to Glenwood Springs in July 2024. sales and conduct public events such as air shows. In return, the nonprofit group agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the cityRevised Plans from and against any and all issues spelled out in the agreements legalese. Also, the Airpark board must include one representativeThe bridge roadway project that once threatened the very from the city council. Zalinski is currently filling that role.existence of GWS is moving ahead with a major change. Instead of including a tunnel under airports runway, the new road, which is approximately 200 feet from the end of the runway, will now be de-elevated with a steep-cut bank of about 14 feet at that location. The project will still affect the airport, but to a much lesser degree. With the new bridge, we are displacing our mechanic and his shop, says Rippy, adding that the city will help defray relocation costs. Helm, a mechanic herself, notes that the PlanningDELTA AIRPORT Engineering mechanics work is known throughout the region, CONSULTANTS, INC. Environmental and other airports and pilots rely on his skills. There Industry Analysis are two mechanics onsite who provide annual www.deltaairport.com Program Management Construction AdministrationBusiness & Financial PlanningJanuary | February 2025AirportImprovement.com'