Developer to build widebody aircraft hangar at Forbes

Airport authority secures $6 million to rehabilitate abandoned airfield area

Topeka officials renew push for commercial air service

Billard Airport completes flight academy, plans further upgrades

Kansas Department of Transportation officials to detail Polk-Quincy Viaduct detours

Heartland Park to reopen under new management in October

City awarded $200,000 grant for facility upgrades

Developer to build widebody aircraft hangar at Forbes

TOPEKA, Kan. - A new maintenance, repair and overhaul hangar for widebody aircraft is slated for construction at Topeka Regional Airport, which officials say could bring hundreds of high-paying jobs to the area. During an annual update, Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority director of development Curtis Sneden announced that Davcon Aviation signed a lease in January to build the large hangar on spec. Expected to be operational by the end of 2027, the facility will cater to the aviation industry's high demand for large aircraft maintenance space.

Airport authority secures $6 million to rehabilitate abandoned airfield area

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority is set to receive a $6 million Congressionally Directed Spending appropriation, supported by Sen. Jerry Moran, to rehabilitate the north apron at Forbes Field. Airport officials said the funding will allow crews to remove heavily deteriorated concrete that poses a debris hazard to aircraft engines. Officials also said interest has emerged from private developers regarding potential hangar construction once the area is cleared.

Topeka officials renew push for commercial air service

TOPEKA, Kan. - Rising costs for airlines operating at larger hubs may give Topeka a competitive angle in its ongoing push to restore commercial air service. Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority president and director of airports Eric Johnson told the city council that the airport is in talks with carriers about service connecting to major hubs. Officials said a local revenue guarantee remains in place to help entice an airline, and that Topeka believes it can offer carriers a lower-cost operating environment than larger regional airports.

Billard Airport completes flight academy, plans further upgrades

TOPEKA, Kan. - Philip Billard Municipal Airport, near Topeka's Oakland neighborhood, has finalized renovations tied to its growing flight training operations and is preparing for additional infrastructure upgrades this year. Planned improvements include resurfacing the airport entrance road, adding access roads aimed at separating vehicle and aircraft traffic and upgrading to a self-serve fuel system for after-hours aviators. Officials also said an ongoing perimeter fencing project will enhance security for airport tenants and help keep wildlife off the runways.

Kansas Department of Transportation officials to detail Polk-Quincy Viaduct detours

TOPEKA, Kan. - With work continuing on the Polk-Quincy Viaduct reconstruction project, city officials announced an upcoming informational open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, to brief residents on upcoming phases and detours. Details regarding the meeting's exact location are available on the Kansas Department of Transportation's project website. The update is expected to cover major traffic shifts, including changes affecting Topeka Boulevard and Interstate 70, as well as detour routing using Interstate 470 during periods of closure.

Heartland Park to reopen under new management in October

TOPEKA, Kan. - Heartland Motorsports Park is expected to resume hosting events under new management in October, according to an update shared during a city meeting. The facility is now owned by the International Hot Rod Association, which has said it plans to restore and upgrade the property. City leaders said the reopening could spur additional economic activity and renew interest in nearby industrial and commercial areas in south Topeka.

City awarded $200,000 grant for facility upgrades

TOPEKA, Kan. - The city of Topeka received a $200,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to fund accessibility enhancements and energy-efficiency-related planning work at municipal facilities. Mayor Spencer Duncan announced the award and credited city staff for securing the funding. The grant is intended to help offset costs as the city pursues additional revenue to improve local infrastructure and reduce long-term operating expenses.

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