CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Yeager Airport officials have agreed to move forward with mediation this week in connection with lawsuits filed after the 2015 hillside collapse.
Members of the airport’s Resolution Committee voted Tuesday to authorize Yeager Director Terry Sayre to work with insurers to settle the cases. Mediation is scheduled for this Thursday and Friday.
“I hope that we get a resolution to the lawsuits. We’re coming up on almost three years and it’s time to get it behind us,” Sayre told MetroNews.
The collapse happened at the airport’s overrun safety area on March 12, 2015. A number of residents were displaced and a church was destroyed. Lawsuits were filed against the airport after the incident.
The airport sued a number of defendants, including Triad Engineering, in connection with the construction of the airport’s EMAS system.
Sayre said he knows residents are frustrated and he hopes there will be a resolution this week.
“We’re just hopeful that things get worked out Thursday and Friday with the people in the neighborhood that’s suing the airport,” Sayre said.
A three-judge panel will hear from all defendants this week.