Former airport fire station for lease

December 5, 2019 | 3:30 am

Updated December 4, 2019 | 9:35 pm

Photo by AP Imagery

Officials with the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport are hoping to lease out the former airport fire station that sits on the edge of the airport’s property. The Daviess County Fire Department used the building from 1973-2019 before moving into a brand new station earlier this year.

Airport Director Rob Barnett said the former station could be used for multiple purposes or businesses as it boasts 3,400 square feet of garage space, 2,000 square feet of living and office space and 12,000 square feet for parking.

“There’s also a substantial amount of land adjacent to and in front of that building that could be developed,” Barnett said.

It would be ideal for former station leased out for something aviation-related, he said, but the versatility of the structure and its location could be beneficial for a number of things. Right now, he and his colleagues are looking at all opportunities that would be compatible uses for the airport.

“It doesn’t have to be aviation-related,” he said. “It’s a great location and a universal building. There’s access to the airfield or direct access to the street.”

Barnett said a business in such close proximity could create additional revenue for the airport.

“There could be a specialized business there — a U-Haul or truck rental, or a maintenance shop,” he said. “A lot of old fire stations have been converted to restaurants.”

The building and the property around it is owned by the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport, but because federal funding was invested into the old fire station, any construction or permits for the building must be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

“Federal funding has been invested into the building, so the airport has to follow FAA instructions and lease it at fair market value,” Barnett said.

When asked about the possibility of a rental car company taking the space over, Barnett said airport staff had already spoken with Owensboro’s two car rental agencies — Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Hertz Car Rental — about the possibility of relocating or opening up a new shop. However, both companies said their current facilities were adequate enough to stay put.

“We’re open to discussions with tenants who are interested in the property,” Barnett said. “They can contact the airport director’s office and tour the facility if they’d like.”

December 5, 2019 | 3:30 am

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