Kent State Invites Community to Provide Input for New Airport Master Plan

The first public meeting for the Kent State University Airport Master Plan has been scheduled for Monday, March 4. In this meeting, the public will be introduced to the project and learn why university leaders are reassessing recommendations from the 2006 plan and taking a fresh look at the airport’s assets and needs.

The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers at Stow City Hall, located at 3760 Darrow Rd. in Stow. It will include a presentation of the master plan process, the project schedule and how the public can provide input on the airport’s existing conditions and future use.

Kent State has owned the public-use, general aviation airport since 1942 and uses the facility to support its Aeronautics Program, one of 32 accredited aviation education programs worldwide. The airport is a critical asset for the Aeronautics Program, which serves more than 560 students in five areas of concentration under the Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautics.

In 2004, the airport completed a master plan, which was then updated in 2006. At that time, the university was considering closing the airport and moving operations to another nearby airport. University leaders are now reassessing the recommendations of the previous plan, and a new plan is required to take a fresh look at the airport’s assets and determine its needs.

The airport is a significant economic driver locally, supporting not only the university’s Aeronautics Program, but also local businesses, community services and private pilots. The new master plan must take into account how the airport can best serve the needs of all members of the community.

For more information about the development of the master plan, visit www.KSUAirportPlan.com.