The city of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is seeking a consulting firm to study the feasibility of building a new general aviation airport. The city issued a request for qualifications in July, and responses are due Aug. 27. The proposal calls for an analysis of aviation demand, operational needs, economic impact and regulatory requirements.
Airport Demand
The study would also evaluate potential areas for an airport, environmental considerations and possible federal grant funding. No specific airport site has been selected. City officials have described the concept as a municipal airport serving private aircraft and corporate aviation rather than scheduled airline operations.
Spurgeon said local business owners and pilots have asked why a city of Broken Arrow’s size does not have an airport. He also said some pilots are storing aircraft as far away as Northwest Arkansas because suitable hangar space is unavailable at closer airports.
Study Comes First
The feasibility study is expected to cost approximately $150,000. Local opposition has already emerged over the proposal, although city officials have emphasized that the study does not authorize airport construction. The city expects to select a consultant as early as September, and the resulting analysis could take 12 to 18 months.
Broken Arrow previously studied the possibility of a municipal airport in the 1980s. That study concluded an airport was feasible, although areas considered at the time have since been developed. Even if the new study recommends moving forward, the project would still require additional planning, environmental review, financing and regulatory approvals. City officials have said construction would likely remain at least a decade away.
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