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 Anoka County/Blaine Airport
Download an information sheet about this
project (Adobe Acrobat format)
Increased dependence on reliever airports has resulted in a
demand for improved facilities. The Metropolitan Airports Commission
(MAC), Anoka County, and the City
of Blaine have entered into a unique partnership to provide major
improvements to the Anoka County/Blaine Airport. The planned improvements for this very
important public asset will not only result in a more convenient and
functional airport, but will also enhance general aviation safety,
reduce noise, and spur economic growth in the community.
Approach 27
Completed
improvements include:
- Extending the east-west runway to 5,000 feet from the current
4,000 feet, making it usable by more planes in more weather
conditions.
- Lengthening the parallel taxiway serving the east-west runway.
- Installing an instrument landing and approach lighting system
to enhance safety and reduce noise, particularly in
low-visibility.
- Constructing road access, sanitary sewer and water systems,
and mitigating wetlands impacted by the development.
 Anoka
County issued approximately $20 million in general obligation
bonds to finance most of the improvements.
The MAC will contribute $2 million in federal Airport Improvement
Program grants, as well as an anticipated $450,000 in federal
airport entitlement funds.
The City of Blaine will own and operate water and sanitary sewer
lines serving the new hangar development area.
The county will lease the 40-acre
development area on the northwest side of the airport from the MAC
for a 30-year period, and sublease the hangar area to Anoka Airport
Development LLC, which will develop hangars and lease them to aircraft owners and commercial
operations.
A new Fixed Base Operation (FBO) is also coming soon. The new
FBO will cater to the small jet sector of general aviation.
Anoka County has entered into a long-term lease with Anoka Airport
Development LLC, which will own and operate the FBO. The first
phase is scheduled to be open by September 1, 2008 and will include
at least 7,500 square feet of terminal space and 20,000 square feet
of hangar space. Upon full build out, the Northwest Building
Area of the airport will have over 250,000 square feet of hangar
space.
Northwest Building Area
These improvements will make the airport safer and more
functional for business, as well as decrease noise for area
residents. In addition, property taxes on hangars and
aviation-related businesses constructed in the new development, as
well as revenues from the sublease to Anoka Airport Development LLC,
will provide revenue sources the county can use to help repay the
bonds.
page last updated -
04/04/2008
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