A plane lands at the Chehalis-Centralia Airport in July 2014 during a free flight event for children 8 to 17 years old.
The Port of Chehalis could have its eye on possible future ownership of the Chehalis-Centralia Airport, and the topic of whether or not to move forward with approaching city officials on the idea is on the table for a port commission meeting today.
The airport isn’t listed for sale, but port CEO Randy Mueller wants to initiate a discussion on what he hopes the port could do to help out the airport. That discussion is listed on the agenda for today’s Port of Chehalis commission meeting, during which port CEO Randy Mueller will ask commissioners Ken Kostick, Mark Giffey and Mark Anders whether such an option should be pursued.
“I think the idea is worth exploring, but I’m not sure if the commissioners have any interest at all. That’s why I want to have that discussion,” Mueller said. “It’s gauging the commission’s interest in having this discussion and seeing if there are any possibilities.”
Mueller said the discussion could entail a wide range of options, from inquiring about ownership of the airport down the line to simply asking if the port can help with retail or real estate development.
The window is certainly open for the talk to take place, Mueller said, because airport manager Allyn Roe will soon lead efforts at the Industrial Park at TransAlta, with his last day at the airport Jan. 30. With the need for the airport board to hire a manager, the port could be in a position to initiate discussions with stakeholders should the commissioners vote to do so.
Mueller said his interest comes from more of a property development standpoint, as the Chehalis-Centralia Airport owns 350 acres of land that the Twin City Town Center shopping complex and Walmart reside on.
“We’re public sector real estate developers, and we could help with the retail development of the airport property,” Mueller explained. “Most airports in the state, especially those with commercial activity, are run by ports.”
Mueller said he’ll likely seek commissioners’ permission to initiate preliminary discussions with the city on the possibility, while recognizing the process could take some time if he is given the green light to approach city leaders.
If approved, the direction Mueller hopes to take would be a major change from the discussions at the port nearly a year ago, when port commissioners formally asked the Port of Centralia to consider managing the Port of Chehalis — an offer Centralia port officials politely refused.
The Port of Chehalis would have to contact leadership from the city of Chehalis should it so choose to pursue having a hand in developing airport property. The airport changed hands from joint city-county ownership to full ownership by the city of Chehalis last year.
“I’m asking them for direction to approach the city about it,” Mueller said. “It’s leading a discussion that’s been on the back burner to the front burner now.”
Today’s Port of Chehalis commission meeting is open to the public and will take place at 11 a.m. at the port’s office at 321 Maurin Road.
