NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

The Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority announces a second public meeting  to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME:  Wednesday August 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

DATE AND TIME:  Friday, September 1, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

LOCATION:  Gainesville Regional Airport Boardroom.  Located in the main terminal building, 3880 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL, 32609

PURPOSE:  To allow for public comment on the Airport’s submission of a Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) application to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Comments must be submitted in writing to the Authority, and received no later than 5 p.m., Monday, September 25, 2023. Comments may be hand-delivered, sent via US Mail or other licensed courier, or emailed. Comments should be addressed to: Lynn Noffsinger, Grants and Contracts Administrator, Gainesville Regional Airport, 3880 NE 39th Ave, Suite A, Gainesville, Florida, 32609, lynn.noffsinger@flygainesville.com.

Persons with disabilities who require assistance to participate in the meeting are requested to notify the Airport’s Administrative Office at (352) 373-0249 at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

Projects-Description and Justification

  1. Rehabilitate Taxiway A Pavement and Lighting (Construction).

DESCRIPTION: Taxiway A is the airport’s main general aviation taxiway and is approx. 6,500 ft. long. It runs parallel to Runway 7-25 and serves all of the airport’s general aviation hangars and apron areas. The FAA has made it a priority to update taxiway systems to comply with more recent changes to FAA design circular AC150/5300-13. The newer standard does not allow a taxiway to have anything other than a 90-degree connection to a runway or a direct connection from an apron to a runway. Taxiway A does not currently meet these standards. GNV addressed required changes to Taxiways, A, C and E in an Airport Layout Plan update approved by the FAA in 2019. The current project will correct deficiencies related to Taxiway A and connect the Taxiway to the threshold of Runway 7. This will improve efficiency by allowing use of the full runway length without the need to back taxi. The project will also extend Taxiway A to Taxiway E on the southeast side of Runway 7, allowing the removal of non-standard pavement between the two runways. The non-standard “direct apron to Runway 7-25” portion of Taxiway C that crosses Taxiway A will be reoriented so that two 90-degree turns are required to go from apron to runway. The project will rehabilitate older, existing pavement sections and edge lighting. New aircraft runup areas will also be constructed and brought up to FAA standards as noted in the Advisory Circular. All non-standard, adjacent apron connections, intersections and fillets will be corrected. The existing angled bypass connector formerly known as A-1 and re-designated Taxiway D, will be permanently removed. JUSTIFICATION: Taxiway A will be extended to the south to connect to the threshold of Runway 7 and to the western side of Taxiway E. This will allow use of the entire runway length without back-taxiing and the removal of non-standard taxi pavement between Runways 7-25 and 11-29. The project will correct the direct connections from the GA aprons to Runway 7-25, reducing the possibility of an incursion. Some of the existing pavement is at the end of its design life and suffers from excessive reflective cracking and surface roughness. Oxidation from the sun has caused brittleness and separation of the surface aggregate. The project will reduce the opportunity for F.O.D. and extend the life of the remaining pavement. The aircraft runup areas will be relocated as necessary and enlarged per FAA standards to provide required obstruction clearance and efficiency. Changes to pavement strength and fillet geometry will provide consistency and allow larger, heavier charter aircraft to utilize the general aviation ramp for servicing, reducing some congestion on the commercial apron. This project is currently under construction.

  1. Airfield Guidance Sign Replacement.

DESCRIPTION and JUSTIFICATION: The airport needs to replace approximately 16 airfield guidance signs that do not meet current FAA standards. These include six, size 4  L-858 LED Distance Remaining Signs, Five size 5, L-858 LED  Distance Remaining Signs, Four size 3 L-858 LED Guidance Signs and one Size 3 L-858 LED guidance sign. The project requires replacing the concrete sign bases, junction cans, sign fixture and message panels. JUSTIFICATION: The signs need to be replaced to meet current FAA Part 139 Certification Standards.

  1. Rehabilitation GA Apron Construction (Phase 1).

DESCRIPTION: Rehabilitation and select reconstruction of the central GA Apron will be undertaken to eliminate FOD concerns and create more uniform pavement strengths for parking of charter aircraft and business jets. Areas requiring reconstruction will be demolished and additional lime rock base and new asphalt pavement of the appropriate thickness will be constructed. Pavement sections will be designed to meet current FAA weight bearing criteria and the apron utilization plan.  Areas of sufficient strength and thickness will be milled and overlaid to extend pavement life . Recommended drainage improvements will be included to facilitate surface and subsurface drainage as required.  Areas of sufficient strength will be milled and overlaid to extend pavement life .  JUSTIFICATION:  Pavement strengths vary greatly between apron areas limiting overall utility and flexibility in aircraft parking. Too-thin pavement sections, poor subsurface soils and poor subsurface drainage have resulted in repeated base failures in some areas. Airport Management has made numerous damage repairs from light jets and more strength is required in select areas.  There is an overriding restriction on aircraft weighing more than 90,000 lbs. MTOW entering any portion of the main general aviation ramp without prior permission.  This requires handling of these aircraft at the commercial terminal, creating security and parking conflicts that must be resolved. Certain apron taxiway connectors are considerably more robust than others and uniformity in strength and geometry are needed to efficiently accommodate all visiting aircraft types. A landing/parking area has been set aside strictly for rotorcraft. High pressures from helicopter skids cause frequent pavement damage and minor fuel spills from refueling operations exacerbates the problem. The helicopter landing/parking area is proposed to be reconstructed in concrete to avoid future damage from both. Portions of the main apron where business aircraft are fueled will be protected with a fuel resistant binder or sealer.   All GA public aprons and taxilanes were treated with a surface treatment in 2008. The treatment included a fuel resistant sealer and small aggregate wearing surface. The wearing surface is shedding aggregate at a high rate, causing significant FOD issues and accelerated surface cracking through unequal expansion and contraction vs. the underlying pavement. The new paved service and fuel resistant sealer, without aggregate, will rectify these issues.  This project is currently under construction.

  1. Terminal Intermodal Transit Center Improvements.

DESCRIPTION: The Airport is constructing an Inter-modal ground transport facility adjacent to a new automobile parking deck. The facility will  provide vehicle queuing lanes and covered passenger waiting area for air travelers connecting with city buses, charter busses, taxis, TNC’s and other commercial ground vehicles. The PFC eligible work includes: covered loading canopy and outdoor passenger waiting area; covered pedestrian walkway to the airline terminal; ground vehicle queuing lanes;  passenger restrooms; and all associated utilities, infrastructure and sitework. Sidewalk lighting, wayfinding, signage and markings will be included. JUSTIFICATION:  The proposed improvements will provide more efficient ground access by busses, taxis and TNC’s to the terminal curbside. The work will serve to lengthen the terminal curbside lanes so as to reduce vehicle and passenger congestion problems and improve pedestrian safety. The project will improve safety and accessibility for disabled passengers. The covered pedestrian walkways will provide protection from Florida rains between the inter-modal ground facility and the terminal entrance/exit doors. The walkways will better segregate pedestrian traffic from motor vehicles. This project is under contract.

  1. Acquire Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicle.

DESCRIPTION: The airport must acquire a new FAA Index B capable ARFF vehicle to replace an older unit. The truck to be replaced was purchased in 1992. The proposed unit would be fully index B capable with a min. 1500-gallon water tank, requisite AFFF foam and dry chemical capacity and dispensing equipment for both turret and hand line application. The desired unit will also come equipped with an emergency generator, scene lighting, hoses, appliances, and basic rescue tools. The unit will be specified in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular(s). JUSTIFICATION: Based on current airline operations, GNV requires ARFF capability meeting FAA Index B. The airport currently has two, Index B capable ARFF vehicles. Two vehicles are considered essential so that airline flights may continue uninterrupted whenever the primary vehicle is down for planned or unplanned maintenance or is needed for training and testing. The oldest of the airports ARFF vehicles was purchased in 1992. The newer, primary vehicle was purchased in 2007. The current primary vehicle would be relegated to “support” status.  The existing support vehicle would be retired. This vehicle does not meet the latest FAA standard, including improved roll over resistance and infrared vision capability.   Acquisition of a new vehicle will greatly assist the airport in maintaining readiness and reduce required maintenance and down time of older vehicles.  This project has bid.

  1. Rehabilitate GA Apron Construction (Phase 2).

DESCRIPTION: This project is a continuation of rehabilitation of existing general aviation apron areas that are currently suffering from deterioration and FOD (See Description and Justification for Phase 1 above). Pavement sections will be designed to meet current FAA weight bearing criteria and the apron utilization plan. Recommended drainage improvements will be included to facilitate surface and subsurface drainage as required.  Areas of sufficient strength and thickness will be milled and overlaid to extend pavement life . Pavement sections in other areas will be thickened to meet FAA minimum criteria for the applicable aircraft weight class. JUSTIFICATION: Areas of the GA APRON are showing signs of failure, excessive cracking, shedding large amount of surface aggregate, creating FOD.  Some areas do not meet FAA’s current minimum pavement section thickness for the types of aircraft that frequently use them.  The rehabilitation project will correct these problems and extend overall pavement life.  This project has bid.

  1. Replace Terminal Central Energy Plant.

DESCRIPTION: SUSTAINABILITY. The existing cooling plant serving the Gainesville Regional Airport includes two (2) – air cooled chillers located in screened locations on the east side of the terminal building. The existing chillers have a capacity of nominal 170 tons each and are 15 years old. Chilled water is distributed by a primary/secondary pumping system. We propose to replace and upgrade the chiller plant by replacing the existing air-cooled chillers with two – 240 ton nominal chillers which would provide additional  peak load capacity and needed redundancy.  The recommended chillers provide energy efficiency at a rate approximately 20% greater than the existing equipment . The existing chilled water pumps would be replaced with higher capacity pumps to accommodate the increased chilled water flow. Piping replacement would include reconnecting the chillers to the chilled water mains and repiping the pumping equipment in the pump house. The pump house shall be provided with a mini-split air conditioning unit to maintain temperature and humidity within this area for the BAS controls and solid-state equipment and to eliminate saturation of pipe insulation. The existing Hydronic Hot Water Heating System includes a single oil-fired boiler and hot water distribution pumps. The existing boiler has an input capacity of 3,347 MBH and is 15 years old. The boiler has a horizontal heat exchanger configuration and takes up considerable space in the mechanical room. The existing unit has an operating efficiency of approximately 80%. The current hot water heating system has minimal excess capacity for the terminal hot water heating loads. The Airport proposes to replace the existing boiler with two (2) – high efficiency condensing boilers sized at 3,200 MBH each. This will provide sufficient heating capacity and redundancy for the foreseeable future. The condensing type boilers have efficiencies up to 94% depending on the hot water supply temperature. The condensing boilers have a much smaller footprint and can be installed in the same floor space as the existing boiler. The hot water distribution pumps will be replaced to match the increased capacity of the boilers. New boiler flues, expansion tank, and new hot water heating piping shall be provided as required.  JUSTIFICATION:  The project will replace older, less efficient main chiller plant and boiler. The new unit will serve the Commercial Terminal for many years into the future. The improved capacity of the chiller units and the boiler will allow the airport to maintain reasonable temperatures during peak loads and in the event of a chiller or pump failure.  The units will also provide for some reasonable expansion. The project will result in greatly increased energy efficiency of both the cooling plant and hot water boiler. This will result in decreased carbon emissions and financial savings to the airport. Airport funds saved go directly into airport operations and maintenance activities and future capital improvements.  This project is scheduled for bid in July 2023.

  1. Airport Masterplan and Stormwater Masterplan.

DESCRIPTION: A comprehensive update of the Airport Master Plan, including ALP and a coordinated Storm Water Master Plan. The population of the Gainesville area and the demand for aeronautical services continue to grow. GNV’s Masterplan was completed in 2006. The ALP has been periodically updated with the last update being approved by the FAA in 2019. Previous updates included changes to reflect recent construction and reconfiguration of taxiways to meet current FAA Design Circulars. However, a more comprehensive update needs to be undertaken that addresses the need for future runway and taxiway strengthening and more adequately provides for areas of future aeronautical development. The update will include a forecast of aircraft operations, fleet mix and subsequent recommendations for future pavement and facility design.  Select areas will be the subject of more detailed planning to address future demand for terminal and apron improvements, air freight, MRO operations and general aviation services and storage. GNV must continue the process of building support infrastructure needed for continued growth. This includes stub taxiways, and site improvements such as utilities, access roads and aprons. In order to maximize available land, GNV needs to complete a Storm Water Master Plan. Much of the remaining land area around the commercial terminal, primary runway and parallel taxiway is occupied or divided by open cut drainage ditches as well as storm water treatment ponds. These ditches should be relocated or piped in to make additional area available for development. Ultimately, storm water treatment areas would be moved outside of the AOA to areas that are not otherwise practical for development. Cost estimates of all recommended infrastructure and storm water improvements will be included for future capital planning. JUSTIFICATION:  The project is needed to adequately plan for any runway strengthening and/or lengthening  as part of the next runway rehabilitation. The airport has experienced a surge in demand for aeronautical facilities. More precise land planning, including storm water planning and permitting is needed to efficiently utilize available airport land for future development. Storm water facilities need to be intelligently designed outside of the AOA as much as possible to reduce potential wildlife hazards. Key infrastructure needs  must be identified, and cost estimates developed for realistic capital planning. Recent construction on the airfield needs to be reflected on the ALP per FAA requirements.

  1. ARFF Foam Test Cart for FAA Mandated Annual Test.

DESCRIPTION:  The airport has purchased an ECOLOGIC AFFF foam test cart so that proper calibration of ARFF vehicles can be accomplished without dispensing any AFFF Foam into the environment. The project included ARFF vehicle modification to connect with the cart and equipment.  JUSTIFICATION: Fluorinated AFFF foam is currently the only FAA approved foam agent approved for use at Part 139 Certificated airports.  Fluorinated compounds in AFFF are now thought to be an environmental hazard. On June 10, 2019, FAA (APP-1) issued memorandum PGL 17-01, stating that eventual replacement of fluorinated AFFF with a non-fluorinated alternative was required by Congress. As no acceptable fluorine free foam alternative was available, input-based foam testing devices and necessary truck modifications for environmentally safe testing and calibration of AFFF foam concentrate was deemed eligible for AIP/PFC reimbursement. Eligibility for stand-alone acquisition of input-based testing equipment was to sunset on November 1, 2021.  After that time, input-based testing equipment is to be an allowable cost of acquiring a new ARFF vehicle.  GNV received its stand-alone ECOLOGIC test cart in January of 2020.

  1. Commercial Terminal Apron Expansion West Design.

DESCRIPTION: The scheduled airline and charter airline fleet mix at GNV continues to expand to include greater numbers of larger, narrow-body transport aircraft and larger regional jets. The airport must continue to plan for additional concrete apron area to accommodate this growth and provide sufficient excess apron capacity for mechanical breakdowns, ATC/weather delays, diversions, and other interrupted operations. The airport also needs some surplus apron area in order to perform regular pavement maintenance. Much of the existing apron is approximately 45 years old.  Additional apron will be needed to accommodate current operations during the rehabilitation. Commercial apron expansion will be accomplished as needed, in phases. This first phase covers design of up to 10,000 square yards of Portland cement concrete apron capable of supporting Sign Group IV aircraft . The project is consistent with the current Airport ALP. JUSTIFICATION: Design of additional commercial apron pavement is needed to accommodate continued growth in aircraft size and frequency. Much of the existing apron was constructed in 1977 and will need to be rehabilitated . Some excess apron will be needed to maintain scheduled airline and charter operations during major maintenance and reconstruction.

A breakdown of project costs including the estimated allowable project costs to be paid from PFC revenue, and the source and amount of other funds follows.  These projects will not be financed, and no portion of PFC collections will be used to finance the projects. The PFC level for each project shall be $4.50.

PFC 5 COST BREAKDOWN

Total PFCs to be collected under PFC application number 5 equal $2,405,487 dollars, with collections to start on November 1, 2023.  The PFC expiration date for this application, based on the current average rate of collection, and allowing more time for variance in collections, is estimated to be January 31, 2026, 3 years or approximately 38 months from the start of collection.

Please direct any questions or comments regarding the projects, the consultation meeting, or the PFC process to Grants and Contracts Administrator, Lynn Noffsinger.  lynn.noffsinger@flygainesville.com