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Runway extension part of new master plan

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Runway extension part of new master plan


It’s been more than 17 years since Sussex County had its last airport master plan update.

Over that time period, the county and Federal Aviation Administration have provided millions of dollars for expansion and rehabilitation as the complex has grown into a major economic force in the county.

During Sussex County’s June 4 meeting, Bob Bryant presented council with a new Delaware Coastal Airport Federal Aviation Administration-approved 418-page plan completed at a cost of more than $571,000 by consultants McFarland Johnson. Bryant is manager of airport and business park operations.

The plan includes factors influencing future development and needs along with upgrades to existing infrastructure, and addresses safety and security, how all FAA standards will be met, and how environmental regulations will be met. It also includes a financial plan and a project schedule.

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The FAA also requires a terminal-area forecast. In 2018, the airport had 61 airplanes housed in hangars with a total of 34,401 airport operations. That’s forecast to increase to 85 aircraft and nearly 48,000 operations.

Bryant said the FAA reviews all elements of the plan but only approves forecasts of demand and an airport layout plan.

Extension in the plan

The 20-year plan provides details on the airport’s operation, infrastructure and future projects, including those needed in the short, mid and long term.

At the top of the list is an extension of the main runway from its current 5,500 feet to 6,123 feet.

Bryant said the current runway can accommodate 75% of planes. The extension will allow larger jets to access the airport.

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The extension project can proceed, as the work to relocate Park Avenue around the airport is completed by Delaware Department of Transportation. Removing a section of the roadway allows for more expansion space.

Other projects included in the report are hangar development, rehabilitation of existing paved services and terminal facility expansion.

Bryant said short-term projects are considered critical and immediate needs, which include updates to FAA standards and construction of a parallel taxiway at the airport. He said the project is multi-phase and multi-grant, with construction ready to begin.

A public hearing will be scheduled on the report.

Airport has major impact

Bryant said a DelDOT Office of Aeronautics report calculated the economic impact of all airports in Delaware, which includes income, employment and taxes. Delaware Coastal’s numbers are impressive, with a total impact of nearly $167 million annually to the state and region, including $5 million in taxes, $52 million in income impacts and 617 jobs. The report includes the business/industrial park as well.

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Bryant said the county’s airport has the highest return on its assets of any airport in the state at 109%.

The airport has seen $40 million in recent upgrades. It provides fuel and service, rail access, hangar space, short- and long-term parking, and rental cars, with large corporate jet capabilities.

Operating at the airport are Skyline Aviation for fuel and servicing; Sussex Aeronautic Maintenance for maintenance, inspections and other related services; and Ocean Aviation Flight Academy for flight lessons.

Arena’s operates one of its restaurants at the airport.

The airport serves as a site for a Delaware State Police Aviation Unit helicopter and also houses the Delaware Technical Community College aviation maintenance technology program.

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The major tenant at the airport is ALOFT AeroArchitects. The company provides services to private and corporate jets, including auxiliary fuel systems and full VIP interior designs on jets from all over the world.

ALOFT is also an authorized Boeing Service Center.

History back to 1943

The airport’s history dates back to 1943, when it had three 5,000-foot runways. It served as a U.S. Navy testing facility then and into the 1950s until 1966. The military was testing a catapult launching system and a rocket car, among other projects.

The county got more involved in the airport in the 1970s and reconfigured the runways. Extensive rehabilitation has taken place since the early 2000s.

For more information, go to delawarecoastalairport.com.

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Where to find warming centers in Delaware during freezing temps

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Where to find warming centers in Delaware during freezing temps


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As temperatures fall, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services will open multiple warming stations to provide shelter for anyone in need starting Jan. 28.

These stations will offer Delawareans “a safe, warm space to get relief from the cold,” according to a post from the department on the social media platform Facebook issued Jan. 27. 

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Temperatures through Jan. 30 are expected to be below freezing, with another chance of snow predicted for this weekend, according to a recent National Weather Service report.

The warming centers will include facilities located in all three counties, including Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown.  

Here’s what Delawareans should know. 

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Delaware warming stations

New Castle County 

Canby Park Office, 1920 Maryland Ave., Wilmington

Churchman’s Corporate Center, 84 Christiana Road, New Castle

Claymont State Service Center, 3301 Green St., Claymont

Kent County  

James W. Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover 

Smyrna State Service Center, 200 South DuPont Blvd., Suite 101, Smyrna

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Sussex County 

Anna C. Shipley State Service Center, 350 Virginia Ave., Seaford

Laurel State Service Center, 31039 North Poplar St., Laurel

Thurman Adams State Service Center, 546 S. Bedford St. Georgetown

Delaware warming station hours

Stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28. Stations will remain open throughout the remainder of the week, through Jan. 30.

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These centers will provide space to residents in need of “a safe, warm place to go,” according to the Facebook post. 

How to stay warm

With winter now in full force, residents are urged to take the necessary steps to stay safe as the weather turns cold. 

This includes making sure your homes “can be safely heated” and you always have crucial items on hand in case of an emergency, including non-perishable and pet foods, water and medicine.   

Delawareans are also encouraged to have a driving kit in their car this winter.   

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Items should include blankets or sleeping bags, extra warm clothing, first-aid supplies, drinking water and shelf-stable food items like protein or energy bars and trail mix.   

Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.     



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Delaware Senate Democrats oppose more ICE funding after Minneapolis shootings

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Delaware Senate Democrats oppose more ICE funding after Minneapolis shootings


What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know.

Delaware’s congressional delegation is calling President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown lawless and vowing to oppose more money for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The effort to vote down additional DHS funding this week comes after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents, respectively, this month in Minneapolis. Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year old mom, was killed Jan. 7, and Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs intensive care nurse, died at the hands of federal officers last week.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware said federal agents are wreaking havoc on all Americans, and that this is a pivotal moment for the country.

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“It is incumbent upon all of us to do whatever we can in this moment,” she said. “Delawareans, we’re known as a state of neighbors, and I hope that that sentiment stays with us and spreads across the country, because we need it now more than ever.”

The Trump administration, as well as the president himself, have blamed the victims for their deaths. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called Good a “domestic terrorist.” She said Pretti was “brandishing a weapon,” although bystander video shows Pretti holding a cellphone and trying to help a woman who had been pepper sprayed. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino said Pretti intended to “massacre law enforcement agents.”

DHS received $75 billion in the massive tax and spending bill Republicans passed this summer, known as the “one big, beautiful bill.” Senators are currently scheduled to vote Thursday on six “minibus” appropriation bills to fund the government. If those fail, a partial government shutdown could begin as soon as midnight Friday. Senate Democrats want the DHS funding bill to get a separate vote from the other bills.



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Delaware needs to take care of littering

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Delaware needs to take care of littering


A letter to the editor expresses a reader’s opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.

To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to viewpoints@capegazette.com. All letters are considered at the discretion of the newsroom and published as space allows. Due to the large volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt of each submission. Letters must include a phone number and address for verification. Keep letters to 400 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content or length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Letters should focus on local issues, not national topics or personalities. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days regarding a particular topic. Authors may submit a second letter within that time period if it pertains to a different issue. Letters may not be critical of personalities or specific businesses. Criticism of public figures is permissible. Endorsement letters for political candidates are no longer accepted. Letters must be the author’s original work, and may not be generated by artificial intelligence tools. Templates, form letters and letters containing language similar to other submissions will not be published.



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