The closing of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base for continued military operations in 1995, among other impacts, resulted in the availability of a large aviation facility for potential non-military uses. In addition, the ability of the County to obtain the aviation facilities and adjacent lands and buildings under a mechanism named Public Benefit Conveyance (or "PBC") provides a mechanism that will ensure that all revenues generated within the boundaries of the PBC are used to offset the costs of running the large airport facility at PARC.

This project consists of conducting an analysis to determine the feasibility of Clinton County to sponsor an application to obtain the Plattsburgh International Airport and associated land and buildings at PARC under a Public Benefit Conveyance. Essentially the risks and benefits of sponsorship need to be identified and evaluated, and quantified whenever possible, to allow the County Legislature to make an informed decision.

______________________________________

The following goal and objectives will define the intent and scope of the feasibility study.

GOAL: To determine the feasibility of Clinton County to sponsor an application to obtain the Plattsburgh International Airport and associated land and buildings at PARC under a Public Benefit Conveyance for the purpose of operating a regional airport.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To define the operating needs of the Plattsburgh International Airport. (It is acknowledged that the certain operating needs will likely not be necessary in year one, but would be accomplished in phases over time.)

* The Public Benefit Conveyance (or PBC) has sometimes been referred to as a Public Benefit Transfer (or PBT). A check with the Air Force Base Conversion Agency has confirmed that the appropriate term is Public Benefit Conveyance, and therefore, this term is used throughout this document.

2. To determine the annual operating costs to operate the Plattsburgh International Airport.
3. To determine the capital needs/costs necessary to establish airport service at the Plattsburgh International Airport that would, among other purposes, allow the airport to accommodate passenger service, aircraft maintenance, air cargo, and small recreational aircraft use.
4. To determine the presence and extent of any constraints to the operation of an airport at Plattsburgh International (ie. environmental, airspace, management of utilities, condition of infrastructure, etc.)
5. To determine the current and likely future revenues that would be generated within the PBC to support the airport operation.
6. To explore the adequacy of the current management framework for the PBC, and to lay out an organizational structure.
7. To identify items necessary for the petition for release of grant obligations at the Clinton County Airport.
8. To determine, to the extent possible, the likely benefits and risks of closing down the current Clinton County Airport, and sponsoring a regional airport facility at Plattsburgh International Airport.
9. To research the trends in the aviation industry vis-à-vis the attributes of the two airports (ie. fuel costs, size of aircraft, etc.)

______________________________________

The study areas listed below are expected to comprise the primary focus of the feasibility study. Each of these areas will be researched, the information will be analyzed, and conclusions will be determined.

1. Facilities (infrastructure and buildings)
2. Land area (lands transferred to IDA via EDC; proposed PBC area)
3. Management of facilities (PARC, Town, City, other)
4. Equipment (relevant to aviation operation and maintenance)
5. Environmental (extent and ramification of environmental contamination; other sensitive/vulnerable environmental conditions)
6. Airspace Environment (vis-à-vis other area airports)
7. Methods to acquire the Plattsburgh International Airport and adjacent property (EDC vs. PBC)
8. Existing costs for PARC to operate the Airport
9. Existing revenues received by PARC within the proposed PBC area.
10. Current utilization of land and buildings within the proposed PBC area, including extent and length of leases and sale of lands/property or any other long-term encumbrances/obligations.

1. Capital needs (including a schedule for phasing of capital projects)
2. Adequacy of existing facilities and equipment at Plattsburgh International Airport to sustain a contemplated airport operation (firefighting and snowplowing equipment, fuel storage, navigational aids, safety areas and clearance zones, parking, etc.), and estimated cost necessary to overcome any shortcomings identified.
3. Estimated cost to operate the Plattsburgh International Airport to standards required for contemplated use.
4. Availability/accessibility of revenues from all sources for capital needs and annual operating expenses

1. Determine timeframes for possible sponsorship and operation
2. Examine other impacts of sponsorship and/or operation
3. Examine roles of County, PARC, IDA and local municipalities

______________________________________

1. Compile existing information, gather additional information, conduct site visits to PARC to assess conditions and explore possibilities (Months 1 and 2)
2. Analyze all information obtained (Months 2 and 3)
3. Form conclusions and prepare backup documentation (Months 3 and 4)
4. Prepare Request for Proposals for Consultant to review Feasibility Study and provide recommendations (Month 4)
5. Consultant conducts work (Months 5 and 6)
6. Present findings, reports to County Legislature (Month 7)

NOTES:

1. The Public Benefit Conveyance (or PBC) has sometimes been referred to as a Public Benefit Transfer (or PBT). A check with the Air Force Base Conversion Agency has confirmed that the appropriate term is Public Benefit Conveyance, and therefore, this term is used throughout this document.
2. Above timeframe can only be met if information necessary for the study is obtained within a reasonable timeframe.
3. The study does not have as a purpose to determine the feasibility of attracting unknown aviation interests, only accommodating aviation interests that already exist within the region.