Private Developer Eyes New Hangar at Pittsfield Municipal Airport
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Municipal Airport has faced an ongoing need for additional hangar space, and now a private developer has stepped forward with a proposal to build one, with hopes of bringing his aircraft back to Pittsfield.
In early February, the airport was approached by a prior tenant, Leon Shabott of Hangar4Planes, about the possibility of constructing a hangar at the airport.
"The developer is a current aircraft owner who moved to New Bedford due to the lack of available hangar space at Pittsfield Airport. He is interested in moving back to the area and would prefer to store his aircraft in a hangar," said Airport Manager Anita Akor-Yeboah.
Hangar4Planes was one of the few individuals who approached the Airport Commission about privately developing a hangar at the airport, she said.
"There is a continued need for additional hangar space at the airport. As an aircraft owner, the developer understands the significant cost of purchasing and maintaining an aircraft and prefers to keep his aircraft in a hangar rather than stored outside," Akor-Yeboah said.
"His goal is also to provide similar opportunities to other aircraft owners who are seeking hangar space."
The project is still in its early stages so Hangar4Planes does not have a projected cost or timeline.
The proposed project is a privately funded development, so the airport will not be responsible for the cost of construction or related service. However, it will receive revenue from Hangar 4 Planes through the ground lease.
In early April, Hangar4Planes and the Airport Commission signed a development agreement that allows the developer to determine if constructing a hangar at the airport is feasible, Akor-Yeboah said.
The development agreement with the airport currently has a term of six months.
During the commission's last meeting last, Akor-Yeboah informed the board that Shabott is requesting a one-year extension because he had recently received a permit to fund the foundation of a hangar he is working on in New Bedford.
Shabott's immediate focus is on completing that project and once the foundation is completed in New Bedford, his focus will shift to the proposed project in Pittsfield, Akor-Yeboah said.
Tags: pittsfield airport,
