LJA Engineering is providing all facets of the civil engineering, planning, surveying, design, and construction services for the proposed Southwest Airport Improvement Project located in Arcola, Texas.
The owner of the Houston Southwest Airport, Jamie Griffith of Texas Avco, Inc., recently purchased an additional 220 acres of land north of the property. The proposed plan calls for (a) the extension of South Post Oak Road southerly, from Highway 6 along McKeever Road to meet the future extension of Fort Bend Freeway, and (b) the extension of Teal Bend Boulevard, to tie into the South Post Oak extension.
These road improvements will spur the development of approximately 200 acres of commercial property sites in and around the airport. Plans are for the airport to develop office/hangar type facilities, as well as commercial structures to serve the existing general aviation activity.
Public/Private
LJA's planning efforts began in the Fall of 1998 and involve multiple government offices - including city, county, state, and federal agencies.
An unusual aspect of this project is the proposed cooperation between public and private entities. When completed, the airport runway and taxiways will be owned by the City of Arcola, while the surrounding commercial properties will be privately owned.
John Perry, LJA vice president, recounted that Congressman Tom DeLay, R-Texas, recently submitted a funding request from the recently approved $40 billion Airport Funding Program. The request includes money for a precision guide slope, additional lighting, and runway improvements.
Speaking of the mutual benefits, Herb Appel, Jr., President of the Greater Fort Bend Economic Development Council, summarized, "The public acquisition and expansion of the Houston Southwest Airport serves several purposes. It develops a safe, all-weather general aviation airport to relieve pressure on the GA service system in Houston, and creates an economic engine for the City of Arcola."
