Lee’s Summit, MO—August 10, 2018—The City of Lee’s Summit and Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport held an official ribbon cutting for two, 14-unit T-hangars at the municipal airport on Friday, Aug. 10. Construction of the new hangars began in February.
Lee’s Summit Mayor Bill Baird touted the latest round of airport investment for helping improve the City’s image throughout the U.S. and the region. Besides attracting business aircraft, the new t-hangars are even drawing inquiries from celebrities seeking a discreet place to land when visiting Missouri for business or leisure.
“It’s really amazing the opportunities that this airport is creating for us, so I do want to thank you for being here today to celebrate these new t-hangars. We look forward to an exciting future for this airport and the many opportunities it has created for Lee’s Summit,” Baird said.
Phill Mall, chair of the Lee’s Summit Board of Aeronautic Commissioners, said it was rewarding to see progress on a master planning effort that began more than 20 years ago.
“All the asphalt, concrete and steel you see today took the dedication of many people planning, studying, reviewing and making recommendations to make this airport business plan a reality,” Mall said. “City leaders, staff, and volunteers stayed the course to make this happen.”
Lee’s Summit native and 1976 Lee’s Summit High School graduate Scott Wehner is the new T-Hangar’s first client. Wehner returned home from Texas earlier this year to enjoy retirement with his family and needed a safe, secure place to store his personal aircraft.
“I was looking for a home for my plane so I wouldn’t have to park it outside, and I was waiting for a hangar to be available to protect my investment,” Wehner said.
Airport officials are confident there is strong demand for tenants like Wehner, as well as business owners. All 28 units are already leased, and several tenants have been placed on a waiting list.
B. Dean Construction served as general contractor for the $2.6 million hangar project in the airport’s northwest quadrant. Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. provided engineering services.
The Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport is owned and operated by the City of Lee’s Summit and with 50,000 takeoffs and landings each year, the airport provides general aviation pilots with alternate landing options in the Kansas City region.