Columbus Board of Aviation commissioners will consider issuing a request for proposals for the former Walesboro airport south of Columbus, which would allow potential developers to submit proposals to develop the 740-acre property.
The board meeting will be at 4 p.m. today over the virtual network Webex. For access, contact the Columbus Municipal Airport at 812-376-2519.
This is not the first time a request for proposals (RFP) has been issued for the property.
“About five years ago now, we went out for another RFP, just to see if there was any developers out there that were interested and, at the end of the day, really didn’t come up with a good option,” said airport Director Brian Payne. “We’re looking to do it again, really focusing in on a proving ground, testing-type facility. We recognize that both Faurecia has a testing facility there, vehicle testing facility, as well as Cummins. So again, working with Cummins, working with Faurecia and thinking about the bigger good of the city of Columbus. That’s what we’re preparing to do.”
Payne noted that not all of the 740 acres will be part of the request for proposals, as certain areas are under long-term lease to tenants. Since 1972, the land has been leased out for farming and manufacturing.
Also, while the RFP is a step towards developing the land, approving the request will not mean an instant start to development or mark a contract with any entity.
“The RFP doesn’t necessarily lock us into anything,” Payne said. “It is just an opportunity for developers that are out there, to be able to submit plans to the city.” He says the airport is looking for the best long-term use for the land.
The status of the land has been in limbo since early 2012, when the area was designated as a flood plain, which has been an obstacle to serious industrical development. As of yet, the designation has not been lifted, although city officials have been trying to get the status changed for some time.
“We’ve been really trying to figure out how to best utilize the area while still being under that restricted flood plain status,” Payne said.
