HOOD RIVER — At the May 21 Port of Hood River meeting, the Ken Jernstedt Airfield dominated most of the discussions. Executive Director Kevin Greenwood said he has been spending a lot of time at the airport in the past two months to try and find opportunities for additional streams of revenue. Greenwood said the port and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are moving forward with the development of T-Hangars on the south apron of the airfield. He estimates the bank of hangars will be ready to lease beginning in the spring of 2026.
“I want to say that the general price of that — this is a very planning level cost estimate — would be about $1.3 million,” Greenwood said. “And about 75% of that would be covered by federal and state grants. And that could generate [about] $50,000 a year for the port.”
Greenwood also stated that the port and Fixed Base Operator (FBO), Tac Aero, are working together to create a “through the fence” agreement on the north apron. The agreement would allow access to the airfield runway for private hangars — which have yet to be built. The port created space for the 115-foot agreement when they sold a fuel tank to The Dallesport Airport. Greenwood added that the FAA requires payment for the “through the fence” agreements and he estimated that it would generate $4,000-$5,000 a year.
Additionally, the port is reworking a nearly 30 year easement with Terry Brandt and the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM). Brandt owns an approximately five acre lot with a 200 foot easement that allows him and his tenants access to the north apron onto the runway. In the mid-1990s, Brandt and WAAAM secured the rights to use the taxiway from non-airfield property onto the runway.
“And so we do we are in the process of refining that easement, because the way it’s written right now, it could potentially block development on the easternmost side of the airport — off of Jeanette Road,” Greenwood said.
He added the port has plans to develop more “public facing” availability such as a parking lot, public administration building and other commercial activities.
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