HOOD RIVER — In May 2024, the Port of Hood River contracted with Jeff Renard from Aviation Management Services to look at becoming more efficient, cutting operational costs and generating revenue at the Ken Jernstedt Airfield.
Port Executive Director Kevin Greenwood and the board of commissioners have been plotting ways to generate revenue, in lieu of the bridge toll subsidies going away beginning June 30, 2026. During the April 18 spring planning session, Finance Director Debbie Smith-Wagar shared summaries for each of the port’s cost centers. In the airport summary, the port reported a net gain of $58,291 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24, but the 2024-25 adopted budget anticipated a nearly $250,000 loss. Smith-Wagar and Greenwood said they tend to take a conservative approach when budget planning. As of April 30, two months remain in FY 2024-25 and according to the airport budget summary, the port is preparing for a loss of $22,128. It should be noted that the revenue and expenditures are subject to change.
The port has conducted a number of feasibility studies at the airport to identify land that could be developed.
Potential South Apron T-Hangars
As outlined in the spring planning session, development of 10 new T-hangars on the south apron could vault the port into positive revenue. Funding for the approximately $1.9 million project has come through grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a $619,000 match from the port. Greenwood explained that the port has healthy cash reserves, and with direction from commission, have opted to prioritize funding projects that will generate revenue.
Originally planning to construct 13 hangars, the airport had to shift when costs rose due to the slight grade of the land. Renard explained that the 10 hangars will now be built on cascading plots in two groups of five.
Construction is on track to be completed in the summer or fall of 2026 and the T-hangars could generate approximately $54,000 in annual revenue. Greenwood added that the waitlist for plane storage is about 40 applicants long, and the port feels confident it will be able to occupy the T-hangars right away.
Jeanette Road connection
The board of commissioners approved allocating $50,000 in the FY 2025-26 budget for construction to connect the existing port parking lot to Jeanette Road. Conceptual layouts have been drafted, staff has identified necessary off-site improvements and legal is in the process of creating cost-sharing models.
In Renard’s report to the commission, he states that if everything is done to plan, the parking site has potential to generate approximately $9,000 in annual revenue.
Safety enhancements through AWOS
In addition to land development, the port is pursuing safety improvements to enhance their Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). The port considered relocating the system, but through an agreement with residents along Jeanette Road, they are planning to remove approximately 100 cottonwood trees that have interfered with collecting accurate wind data. The port is footing the estimated $20,000-$40,000 bill, but that does not include costs of conducting wetland mitigation studies. Renard requested that $80,000 be allocated in the FY 2025-26 budget.
Commented