Cost estimates in the works for airport proposal

Some long-range planning cost estimates for the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport's 20-year master plan will be put together as early as the end of January, according to Neil Ralston, an aviation planner with the engineering firm, Crawford, Murphy and Tilly Inc., hired by the airport.

The master plan was unveiled to the public Tuesday at an open house at the Osage Community Centre.

The public meeting was the last required step before the planners can come up with a capital improvement program which will include some rough cost estimates.

Gary Keene, the chairman of the Airport Advisory Board, said there has not been discussion of costs.

The plan includes extending two runways, expanding the terminal building, purchasing 126 acres of land for cargo-related development and constructing a fire station.

"Right now, we're just trying to get approval of the concept," Keene said.