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AirportImprovement.com      May | June 2026
GENERAL AVIATION 
5B2 
Public Works Chad Cooke, who is a private pilot, all 
live in the area as well. Barrett is also supervisor of 
nearby Clifton Park, NY; and Brodsky is an alumnus of 
Skidmore College in Saratoga.
“I have a close personal relationship with the county 
and the locale,” says Brodsky. “People were really 
invested in the project on a personal level.” 
Final Stretch
In June 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul 
announced completion of the new terminal/hangar 
project.
WSP’s DeCesare praises the airport for meeting the 
grant’s tight timeline and other requirements. She cites 
support from other funding sources and a diligent, 
cohesive project team for helping 5B2 be among the 
first of all grant recipients to complete its project and 
achieve the award.
From the start, Bradford recognized that the county 
was aiming high. As a non-towered, non-Part 139 
airport, 5B2 was competing with major airports in 
Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo. Yet it qualified because it 
serves jet traffic. “Not that I don’t value all my projects, 
but this was a ‘home game,’ and I take a lot of pride in 
it,” says Bradford.
Thinking back on the design process, Brodsky recalls 
visiting the airport and seeing a father and 
son sitting in their car watching planes take 
off. “That came back to me when designing 
this space to maintain that connection to the 
community,” he says. “It is truly a community 
building and not just an airport.”
Hanke, who began flying out of 5B2 as a 
1-year-old with his father, enjoyed watching 
the airport transform. “I hope it brings 
people into the flying aspect,” he says. “It’s 
nice to see younger people get involved in 
aviation, whether it becomes a career or just 
recreation.” 
Kelsey is thrilled with the new terminal 
and hangar. “I think this is one of the most 
beautiful buildings in the county, and every 
part of it is being used as intended,” he 
reports. “We’ve got more ramp space and the 
added space is more than welcome because 
it makes it easier to accommodate some of 
the larger aircraft that do come in.”
Barrett and other county officials expect the 
infrastructure improvements to reap financial 
benefits for many years. “If you’ve been to this 
airport in the past, you won’t recognize it,” 
he remarks. “In all respects, I see nothing but 
incredible opportunities ahead of us.” 
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The new hangar provides nearly 20,000 
square feet of indoor parking for aircraft. 

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