Around this time last year, the Blue Grass Airport announced it would begin the process of developing a new Master Plan called, “Approaching Our Future Together.”
The goal of the Master Plan is to create a strategic vision to accommodate the needs of the region. Eric Frankl, Executive Director of Blue Grass Airport, cited that it serves as an important component of Lexington’s economy + the 54-county region it serves. He added that hundreds of thousands of visitors come to town for business and leisure.
Fun fact: Our airport serves as many as 1.4 million passengers annually.
The plan — which will be carried out over ~18 months — aims to make short-term + long-term improvements in airport operations and infrastructure, including:
- Aviation safety and security
- Passenger travel and experience
- Runway capacity and air traffic
- Environment
- Parking and traffic circulation
- Corporate and private aviation
So why now?
For starters, the previous Master Plan was completed ~10 years ago in 2013. Also, the latest economic impact study found that Blue Grass Airport indeed has a huge impact — $370 million + 3,478 jobs (these numbers continue to grow each year).
The new plan will cover five, 10, and 20-year horizons and be updated every 10 years.
Plan Ahead
Public comment can be made online here + at the second Master Plan Open House on Tuesday, Aug. 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Campbell House, 1375 S. Broadway.