Members of the airport board have recently begun discussing the development of an Airport Strategic Development Plan for Davis Field that should be completed this year.
In November 2014 the city council approved the City of Muskogee Strategic Plan which stated that the city should “realize the full potential for improving Davis Field, including runway improvements.” Funds in the amount of $800,000 have been allocated through 2016 for those improvements, said Garry Lynn, Davis Field airport manager.
The plan also calls for creation of a flight school, as well as obtaining funding for hangar expansion, a new terminal and tower.
The strategic plan also said that in 2015 city officials would establish an Airport Strategic Development Plan that “should fully analyze feasibility of revitalizing industrial uses and establish an Airport/Industrial Trust Authority with borrowing authority.”
While modernization to the airfield is in the works, there are no plans to expand Davis Field, Lynn said.
“Diversity is the key to ensure its future,” he said.
There is approximately 500 acres remaining at the airfield that can be developed for non-aviation purposes, Lynn said.
“We need to maximize utilization of the airport property that we currently have to the extent possible,” Lynn said.
He imagines a long-term lease for a very large warehouse would be ideal or a hub for a FEDEX or UPS package operation at the 1,622-acre facility.