Pierce County will hold its second set of public meetings on Tacoma Narrows Airport’s master plan update next month. The county and stakeholders will discuss the airport’s inventory and aviation forecasts. Topics will include existing facilities and land, financial information, demographics, trends and projections of operations.

During a series of five meetings this year and next year, the county and stakeholders will evaluate the current state of the airport as well as potential alternatives to determine how best to meet the community’s long-term development needs. Future airport improvements will be planned to maximize their eligibility for federal funding. The 20‐year improvement plan will provide guidelines for future airport development that will satisfy aviation demand and be financially feasible and operationally effective, while addressing safety, environmental, and community issues.

This will be the first master plan update since Pierce County purchased the airport from the City of Tacoma in 2008. The last master plan update was completed in 2003.

“By reviewing our existing assets along with aviation trends and projections, we can determine whether we have the infrastructure and systems in place to meet the current and future needs of the airport and the community,” said Warren Hendrickson, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities aviation and ferry planner. “This information will be important when we discuss alternatives later this summer and fall.”

The Planning Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from the aviation community, businesses, local and state government and more, will meet on Weds., June 5 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cottesmore of Life Care Cafe, 2909 14th Ave. NW, in Gig Harbor. A public open house will be held the same day from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Goodman Middle School, 3701 38th Ave. NW, in Gig Harbor.

Tacoma Narrows Airport is a regional airport that is used for small business jet travel and general aviation. The airport serves businesses, recreational flying, flight instruction, medical services, the media, the military, and law enforcement. Pierce County also owns Pierce County Airport-Thun Field in Puyallup.