Expansion Includes Buying Residential Area

Wichita's Mid-Continent airport needs some elbowroom, and as a result, some residents may lose their homes in the not-too-distant future. A final plan for Mid-Continent and Col. James Jabara Airport in northeast Wichita is expected to go before the City Council in the spring or late summer.

The tentative 20-year master plan for Mid-Continent includes acquiring additional land, including a residential area containing about two dozen homes. Obviously, this comes as bad news for those residents, who may end up fighting an eminent domain battle if they don't chose to sell. The comprehensive plan also includes expanding the airport's air cargo facilities, extending the east parallel runway by 1,400 feet and developing some additional taxiways. A separate plan on whether to rebuild or renovate the terminal building at Mid-Continent also is being considered.

Another proposal calls for adding a taxiway at the Col. James Jabara Airport in northeast Wichita. The project, on the east side of the property, would mean rerouting a nearby road -- Lindberg Avenue -- to accommodate the additional taxiway. The Jabara proposal also includes installing an ILS system.

FMI: www.flywichita.com