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Yeager Airport officials considering hangar, suite additions as part of land use study

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Yeager Airport officials look to open up a financial analysis and study cost estimates for construction projects recommended to the facility’s board on an open 8-acre site at the airport.

The Board of Members of the Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority heard a ‘Land Use Analysis’ from planning company Landrum & Brown on Wednesday. The study of the Eagle Mountain Road land near the Marshall development showed land use recommendations of box hangars, a general aviation hangar with suites and a terminal area, and additional space for military parking.

Nick Keller, Yeager Airport Director told MetroNews that he and others want to go through with parts of the plan, including additional hangars and suites.

Nick Keller

“It’s something that could be a good investment for us because it would enhance our revenue. It would also raise the profile of Charleston for people doing business here, that want to do business deals and fly into the airport,” Keller noted.

VIEW: The Yeager Airport Land Use Study

Keller said the building of small box hangars for the military and a large 10,000 square foot hangar for business is what will be focused on. He said Yeager Airport is running out of hangar space and parking space for aircraft, which he called a good problem.

He would like to leverage the construction of the US Customs building, expected to be finished in December, with the possible construction of the large hangar. The hangar could include 3-4 private suites that can be used to market tenants. According to the land-use study, the market is a higher-end fractional ownership customer or corporate client based at the airport.

Keller said building something of that nature would make Yeager a premier business destination.

“When people want to fly in here on corporate jets, they can rent out the suites, have their meetings at the airport, not have to go into town. Also if it’s not being used for aeronautical purposes, the suites could be rented out. Outdoor terrace available for receptions or other public events that people could rent and have a nice view of the airport,” Keller told MetroNews.

Keller noted the funding would likely come through state and federal grants but it will be evaluated in the coming months through financial studies. A decision may come later in the spring on if these projects are possible.

The airport is receiving an additional $3.27 million from the America Rescue Plan COVID-19 relief package but those monies have restrictions.

Airport rebranding

A topic of discussion during the month of March in the Kanawha Valley has been the potential rebranding of Yeager Airport including a new name. Keller told MetroNews on Wednesday that a name change is currently off the table and he does not anticipate action on it ‘any time soon.’

During a meeting on March 10, the airport’s marketing committee discussed keeping Yeager on the name but adding a geographical location and International tag. Keller said the airport will be changing its logo for the first time in over 20 years.





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