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A million-dollar FAA grant will help Kissimmee Gateway Airport expand its air traffic control (ATC) operations space. FILE PHOTO
The Kissimmee Gateway Airport will receive a $1 million grant, to design the replacement for its Air Traffic Control tower, from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), city officials announced Thursday.
Kissimmee Gateway secured this funding as part of a competitive selection process through the Build Back Better Act. The FAA said the goal of this funding is to “Sustain, construct, repair, improve, modernize, replace, or relocate airport-owned towers and install communications equipment."
Shaun Germolus, Director of Aviation for the City of Kissimmee, expressed gratitude for the FAA's recognition of Kissimmee Gateway Airport's vital need for ATC upgrades, and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto’s assistance in advocating for the support.
“The City of Kissimmee is enthusiastic about the opportunity to design and replace the Kissimmee Gateway Airport Air Traffic Control Tower. It recognizes its pivotal role in ensuring safe and efficient aviation operations in the Orlando Region,” Germolus said.
Officials said a new tower that the grant will help provide will be double the height of the current facility and provide the needed space for necessary current equipment and staffing functions.
“The project aligns seamlessly with the city's strategic plan to enhance the airport’s stature as a major employment hub for our community, further diversifying Kissimmee’s economy with higher paying technical jobs,” City Manager Mike Steigerwald said. “The FAA's funding initiative underscores the importance of sustaining and modernizing airport-owned towers, ensuring aviation operations' continued safety and efficiency.”
The airport is also anticipating design funding for the rehabilitation of Taxiway Delta, which serves the significant cluster of airport businesses in the northwest quadrant, along Hoagland Boulevard. The design will call for repaving, remarking, and some associated airport lighting work. In addition, a realignment of Taxiway Charlie, which is a major crossing point from Taxiway Delta to the main runway, will be included in the project as a safety enhancement.
The Kissimmee Gateway Airport is classified by the FAA as a reliever airport to Orlando International Airport by hosting incompatible aircraft operations, such as flight training, for the region. The airport’s location, in the southwest of the Orlando metro area, also makes it convenient for corporate and business aircraft users headed to meeting and convention venues such as the Gaylord Palms, Osceola Heritage Park, ChampionsGate, and the Orange County Convention Center.
For mor information on the Kissimmee Airport see https://bit.ly/3PajQr0
