Local funds needed to make RC airport safe

By MaryHelen Swanson
A potentially dangerous situation awaits those who fly in and out of the Rush City Regional Airport.
With only one runway and no place to turn around, it may be only a matter of time before there is a serious collision.
The airport, which is the only one in the county and the largest between the Twin Cities and Duluth, has seen increased traffic and expectations are that even more people, including businesses, will be using it.
For this reason, plans are in place to add a second taxiway with turnarounds.
Congressman James Oberstar, has promised 90 percent of the $1 million projected cost from federal sources.
Monday night, the Rush City Council agreed to hire city engineering firm SEH to prepare an updated airport layout plan at a cost of $15,680.
To garner the $100,000 (10 percent) local match for the project, airport and city officials have been visiting with potential contributors including Chisago County, Pine City and area charitable organizations.
Last week airport manager Howard Hanson, Rush City Administrator Daniel Hoffman and Mark Nelson approached the county board asking for some financial support. Nelson operates Hawk Aviation out of the RC airport.
With the county facing loss of a large portion of state aid this year, the commissioners have not committed to a contribution.
Pine City has also been approached about helping with the project and Nelson told the city council it looks like they want to participate.
When major improvements were made at the airport several years ago, the county contributed $50,000 ($10,000 each of five years) and Pine City $20,000.
The city is seeking tax abatement through the county HRA-EDA for construction of additional hangars.
Hoffman said he believes the project will work.
In other business at the city council meeting, the council discussed a senior housing project with county HRA-EDA director Chris Eng. He said the city could explore a bond issue such as Center City has done for a senior project and apply for a grant to keep the rent costs down.
Eng said there is a need for about 40 units of affordable senior housing in Rush City.
A second and future phase addressing senior housing could be the addition of assisted living units.
The council agreed to have Eng work with Hoffman to look at potential sites and financing options.
The council also approved a subdivision request for First Lutheran Church. It will allow them to divide the parsonage property and adjacent vacant lot into two parcels. Paul Tubbs, a member of the church, on hand for the meeting Monday, told the council to consider uses for the old church building. He said he wouldnít say the church would give the building to the city, and he wouldnít say the church wouldnít.
Resident Dave Krippner asked about a vacant house on his block and asked if something could be done about it.

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