Photo by Jerry BakerMontgomery County has finished gathering land to build a 7,500-foot-runway at Lone Star Executive Airport, and it plans to accept another 20 acre donation in 2010 for an 8,000-foot-runway in the future.
Montgomery County purchased a 29.4 acre site from Judy Campbell adjacent to the airport for $740,592 to meet the 7,000-foot-runway, which will be partially funded by the Texas Department of Transportation.
In addition, Campbell donated another 20 acre tract so Montgomery County can extend its runways to 7,500 feet. Another 20 acre donation at the end of the proposed runway anticipated in 2010 would allow a future expansion to 8,000 feet, said Scott E. Smith, airport director.
“It will allow us to provide a better facility for our current operations, especially in the summer,” Smith said. “It will increase our competitiveness with David Wayne Hooks Airport and Sugar Land Airport. It will provide more options for different kinds of aircraft in the future.”
The extended runway is expected to expand business
opportunities at the airport by allowing larger jets to use the facility. This could include commuter airlines such as Continental Express, freight operations like Federal Express or the United States Postal Service, or larger planes to accommodate federal prisoners from the U.S. Marshal’s Service or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The county currently has contracts with the U.S. Marshal’s Service and ICE to utilize bed space at the Joe Corley Detention Facility, the county’s jail annex, to house federal prisoners and detainees.
“The airport is taking steps to become a true regional airport,” said Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador. “This is anotheer step in the process.”
Meador and Montgomery County Judge Alan B. Sadler thanked Campbell for her generous donation. Campbell owns about 2,000 acres near the Lone Star Executive Airport which will be prime for development once the improvements take place.
“Judy Campbell has been more than generous in working with the county,” Sadler said. “It is making the expanded runways a reality.”
In addition to the runway tract, Gene Campbell, Judy’s late husband, donated 60 acres for the Campbell Sports Fields in Conroe.
Montgomery County is in the middle of a master plan to expand and upgrade the airport facility.
In addition to the new 7,500 foot runway, the airport added an air traffic control tower and new hangers and taxiways. A restaurant is also planned on site. The project also included a rerouting of FM 1484 to accommodate the longer runway and open new areas for development.
The airport currently logs about 86,000 takeoff and landings annually.
AIRPORT EXPANSION PLAN
In 2003, Montgomery County approved a master plan to upgrade the Lone Star Executive Airport. Following are the key elements of the plan:
• New Air Traffic Control Tower
• Extension and reconstruction of the main runway
• Development of new taxiway
• New road access
• Private and commercial hanger development
• Utility extension and drainage improvements
• Perimeter fence
Source: Lone Star Executive Airport