03/14/94 Bissell/Future of AirportMAR 1 6 1994
Aero Inn
1830 Hwy. 93 South
Kalispell, Montana 59901
406-755-3798
Toll Free 1-800-843-61 14
Mayor Doug Rauthe
City Hall
Kalispell,Mt. 59901
March 14,1994
Dear Mayor Rauthe,
I am writing concerning the future of the Kalispell City
Airport. I'm sure you are aware that I am in favor of keeping
the airport in operation but I wanted to bring up a few points
in favor of the City Airport for your consideration.
I am enclosing a copy of a recent informal survey of local
businesses that I conducted last month concerning the direct economic
impact of the City Airport. As you can see, over $1.6 million
dollars flowed into Kalispell's economy as a result of the airport.
This was during a bad weather year (1993) in which it rained during
three of the five peak months. Fly-in's and increased traffic can
easily add an additional $200,000-$300000 dollars in an average year.
Much of this revenue would simply be lost to Kalispell if the airport
were to close. I feel that as the popularity of the Flathead area
increases, the revenues from the City Airport will also increase
throughout the year. While it is true that the aircraft based at
the City Airport could move to other airports if the City Airport
closed, many of the pilots who fly to Kalispell or plan Fly-in's
here would not go to Glacier International or Ferndale, they
would go somewhere else in the U.S.. The tremendous appeal of the
City Airport is it's convenient proximity to five motels,six
restaurants, rental cars, and downtown shopping. Additionally, I feel
that as improvements are made to the airport, its use during the
off seasons will increase.
Those of us who use the Kalispell City Airport are aware that
improvements are needed, some of which are costly. Many of us have
been discussing ways to fund these improvements and manage the airport
so that it is not a drain on the City's funds. Please feel free to call
if you would like some suggestions during your workshops.
To quote a 1928 article "With the tremendous growth of commercial
aviation, the welfare of the city demands an aviation field and it
should be put in condition as soon as possible."!
While many communities are trying to find land and funds to add
an airport, Kalispell has one of the best locations in the nation -
let's just find solutions for how to manage what we have.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Gilbert K. Bissell
1993 Economic Impacts Kalispell City Airport
Aero Inn 227 Rooms X$45.00 Avg.. Rate = $10215.00
(FAA Fly -In 400 Rooms X $45.00=$18000.00)
Outlaw Inn 175 Rooms X $57.00 Avg. _ $10000.00
500 Meals $10000.00
Convention Rooms $ 6500.00
(FAA Fly -IN Rms.$20000.00,Meals $20000.00,Conv.Rms.$13000.00)
Super 8 Motel 25-30 Rooms X $35.00 = $1050.00
Diamond Lils Motel 30-50 Rms. X $50.00= $2500.00
Motel 6 75-100 Rms. X $40.00= $4000.00
Freds Family Restraunt 3Meals/Day $14200.00
(FAA Fly -IN $6000.00-$10000.00)
Scottys Bar and Restraunt 780 Meals X $8.00 $6240.00
City Service Food $2000.00
Budget Rent A Car
(FAA Fly -IN
Practical Rent A Car 52 Days X $30.00
Rent A Wreck 15-21 X $40.00
On Airport Businesses
Strand Aviation 4-8 Employees
Eagle Aviation 5-10 Employees
Aero Craftsman 3-5 Employees
i1/1 11
1 !!11 !1
$1560.00
a.: 0it
$90000.00 Payroll
$500000.00 Gross Sales
$65000.00 Payroll
$800000.00 Gross Sales
$100000.00 Payroll
This does not include retail purchases at the malls or main street
stores or at attractions such as Big Mtn.,golf courses, Glacier Park
etc. or purchases at other motels and restraunts throughout town.
Restraunts and motels except Aero Inn are conservative estimates based
on 1993 business -it is difficult to track which customers have arrived
from the City Airport. Aero Inn gives pilot discounts and therefore
has records of Airport customers.
1993 was probably a down year for the City Airport due to poor
weather from May -July.
Annual fly -in events include the Mountain Search Pilot Clinic
and National Guard and Forest Service activities. FAA Fly -In revenues
are significantly greater than average and are included in parenthesis.
Total Revenues 1993 $1634105.00
Approximate revenue with a FAA Family Fly IN
$1721105.00
tPstt anti well kept streets, it in sadly lacking. in n well kept city park
and recrentlomil grounds for the children. Several yearn ngo, quite it
mum of money Watt expended In beautifying Woodlmid I'ark and tht•lt
further mainteonmre ceased. This wits it mistake. ihtd it small otnount
of work lx•en d nno nnnuaaily, tit Pmni) cnmt. the park rould have IN4m
kept very pretty nnrt the original Investmetit would not hate iw•en
wasted. lit the Winter three It Is used ns n. mkrtting }uark anti is very
pnpular. both with the old tint] young, esperiaty the latter. Timis Intl a
new wnrmning house wnm huUt, costing $400.1111. It is 12x24 feet in mire.
with comlijirtmorots for hays and girls and im Well lighte-t and heated.
Tilt- electric lighting for the pnrk In dmmated through the courtesy lit
tits Alountnin Mates Power Company of this city. At the luirk it coturt
ing slide Was c1111"1roeted along the side hill and is very touch rnjtayed
by time children. ()it the west side of the park, tits siunli underhrumit
wan cut tilt( nod hurned nntl it few lend threem cut down and Worked
up Into stove wood for the wnrming house. 'There hnvP liPen nit unusuni
mintier of dnys for skating sit bir this winter. The pond is kept free
of snow. frequently Ilim,detl tilt(] Well policed.
What Is known its time ilall Park. or illock 23. Which lays on the
west side of Third Avenue last North, ndjoMhtg the railroad right.or.
Way and at part of time Walter it, r,rlililt estate, has l,een dunnted tit
tho city for roervational purpoFes and Will lip known not ttritiin Park.
ltntli it hotter location van lie found, t11•iltin Pork will Ile runtimlpd its
n lual} park.
With the city In it healthy growing condition. more attention ahould
lie paid to the fume detelapnient of our lvnrks. A rensonahte nnits4ol
expenditure would not lie felt aril much good Would result.
Aviation Field
For tan nviation 11PId, the v!ty tram purt•hn<ed 135 nerem of level ground
tit 11 cunt of This land lays south tit the city and im tween tine IOU/
Diagonal tint] Patrick Creek roads, and Is Well adapted for it landing
belt]. %%'ith the teniwulous growth of rnminercial nvintlon, the welfitrP
of (lie city demmitis tit nvhition field tend it shnuld lie put in condition
for use nm s-mun rem posslhiP.
1laht Sit•eot
\The hnprnveownt nr-AinttrNtmet; L•uui-4z4mr(h' Strrk south to the
city �mittz_}tas_i� oruwmt}.t. tell, except for tlae fin:11 surface which will
he given when the warm weather returom iu the late spring of 1929
Eighth :Intl Ninth Streets, between VIrst Avenue Pais} aural First Avenue
West. its well as the drlvewnem through the Court )louse Park, were
ImpruvPtl ity the romnty"--In-thnt portion of Ainin Street from Sixth to
mghth Struts, it mrtiot renter grass plot wits vonstrurtrd ttnd douldr
ornamentnl light pontm placed thre'o In the block, nod front Fourth to
Sixth Streets, single orna11 tell till lights were pinretl, three to the hiock
on Pach mh]e of the street_ The county also inst:atie:l it; ornamental
lights ahtrut tilt, rourt house driers and nit Eighth tint] Ninth Streets.
From Wotrrth it, Vighth Streetm, 37 copper water srr%,Icem were In-
stnlled. All loam ne,aulrrd by the Alain Street I}rvelnpntent Aysorlatlnn
were moll to dorm} their pro ralrt shore of tit, cost (if the hnproveinent.
the privratt•ly owned luoprrt niong time Improveriient payi•i)g its shnre.
In tilt, renter of Ainin S'lret, between fifth ntd Sixth Streets, the
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