Growing Population Leads to Airport Growth in Northern Colorado
Experts expect the population of the Northern Colorado to more than double by 2050, and the Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL) is growing now to meet current and future needs.
Discovery Air is FNL’s newest corporate hangar development, recently opening the doors to a 33,000-square-foot facility with long-term corporate tenants. The hangar is the work of Water Valley Company, owned by Martin Lind. A future FBO is planned to be built adjacent to the new hangar and will be managed by Million Air.
Discovery Air is also considering supporting a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility. Discovery Air has already allocated space for such a facility, which would be operated through the agency’s Reimbursable Services Program, a public-private partnership.
The FNL Airport Commission recently heard Discovery Air’s proposal for the Customs facility and requested airport staff to explore the partnership proposal, which includes a financial request from Discovery Air, for the commission to make a final decision in the future.
A local Customs facility could be a win/win for both airport users and the community, according to FNL Airport Director Jason Licon, who explained the airport is jointly owned by two cities. Hence, it works with two economic development groups.
“Having a Customs facility directly and positively impacts communities,” said Licon. “It would be another tool in our toolbox to draw in more primary employers to the region.”
Licon said the airport staff is currently verifying FAA regulations to ensure any new Customs facility is compliant and is considering how the financial request will be funded.
Additionally, Homestead Hangars, a complex of five buildings and twenty-three total hangars, is being developed on the Stearman taxilane. Presale reservations are currently available through BA Group Realty.
More growth is expected with a brand-new terminal building, currently in the design phase with construction to begin in 2023. FNL’s Airport Commission also approved the airport to enter negotiations with the Fort Collins-Loveland jetCenter with the goal to redevelop three rows of older T-hangars, replacing them with larger hangars.
In response to high demand for hangar space, the Planning and Development Subcommittee (PDSC) recommended the area north of Runway 6/24 be a focus area for future infrastructure planning efforts for new GA hangars. The cost estimates for developing this area were higher than the alternate site but the area is larger and can accommodate more growth.
FNL, once Colorado’s busiest non-towered airport, is now one of the first two test sites of the FAA and State of Colorado Remote Tower Project.
This test project combines real-time visual/camera input and radar/track-based input to allow air traffic controllers to work airport traffic from a less costly location to construct and maintain.
The FAA says the remote tower projects will enhance safety and efficiency at airports while reducing the construction and operating costs of a traditional air traffic control tower.
The airport has a significant economic impact on the region. A 2020 Colorado Department of Transportation – Division of Aeronautics study found FNL produced $161 million in business revenue, supported over 1000 jobs and generated $52 million in employee payroll.
Meanwhile, near the airport, Amazon is building a large distribution warehouse which will also have a considerable economic impact on northern Colorado, including a number of well-paying jobs, while increasing demand at FNL.