The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has issued its official Record of Decision (ROD) for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that was prepared by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) for their proposed improvement projects for Flying Cloud Airport (FCM). I know, TMAIOS (Too many acronyms in one sentence).
This is an important decision because it marks the final pre-project authorization required by the FAA for the projects at Flying Cloud to proceed. That means, pending the availability of money and everything else that goes along with initiating a public construction project, the MAC can move forward with making improvements to the Flying Cloud runways, hangars and other airport field improvements. I believe the first of these projects, a runway improvement project, will begin later this year. The balance of the projects would be phased in over the next few years.
In order to keep our residents informed about the future development of the airport and to hear their airport concerns and compliments, the City’s Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission and the Metropolitan Airports Commission will be jointly hosting a public meeting on Thursday, June 12 at the Hennepin Technical College auditorium from 7-9 pm. We will share information with residents and learn about the residential impact of the airport during the scheduled 45 minute Q&A session. All are welcome.
The City and the Airport must live together. It’s not always easy. The City will continue to work closely with MAC on their airport development plans to make sure the projects comply with our City regulations, and to make sure that our resident’s concerns are addressed in the future.
