Airport Commission Hopes Airport Will Become A Community Focus

Looking for a new place for a fly-in lunch? The Greenville, South Carolina Downtown Airport commission hopes pilots and the public will want to watch planes and helicopters take off and land, while having a meal, or visit a free aviation park that will be part of a new amenity at GMU. 

"You can always find people watching our airport activity at one of our free observation areas and we get a lot of requests for "hangar parties".  People of all ages love to see aviation in action.  The airport is fun during the day and the runway lights are beautiful at night," according to Tracy Holden, Manager of TAC Air at GMU.
 
"We are actively seeking a restaurant entrepreneur.  Many general aviation airports have very popular restaurants.  We have never had one and feel that it would be a huge success!  Greenville's low cost of living, tax advantages and GMU's pro-business governing board make GMU a great business location.  We look forward to providing a fun place where our community and fly-in guests can enjoy the world of aviation," said Joe Frasher, GMU Airport Director.

The airport has a building that is available and is located close to the busiest runway.  Pilots could park their planes right in front of the restaurant!  The building has room for outdoor seating, a large hangar (for hangar parties), and plenty of automobile parking.

Beside the proposed restaurant is some land where a park could be built.  The free public park may have a playground, picnic pavilion, walking trail and/or retired aircraft on display.
 
 "We envision a set up similar to the one at the Peachtree Dekalb Airport (PDK) in Atlanta.   It has picnic tables, a viewing stand, playground equipment and restrooms.  We have had several park designs made and are just waiting for our future restaurant tenant to help make the final design decisions",  said Lara Kaufmann, GMU's Marketing Director.

GMU is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina and is a self-sufficient entity with financial strength that doesn't rely on local taxpayers for funding.  The airport is home to more than 25 aviation-related businesses creating 453 jobs that annually contribute more than $35.2 million to the Upstate economy.

FMI: www.GreenvilleDowntownAirport.com