Over $7 million has been budgeted by the Port Authority for capital improvements in 2009. Check the status of the latest projects on the COATC Base campus here at our web site. Also, join our mailing list to receive regular updates on key projects via our electronic newsletter.

UPDATED January 5, 2009

James Parkway Bridge, Roadway Extension--PENDING
At its December 2008 Board meeting, the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority approved award of a contract for start of this $2.9 million project pending the outcome of a January 7, 2009 court review of a compliant filed by the second lowest bidder.

Previous action saw land acquisition, engineering, permitting, and authorization of a budget that included funds for the project to start in 2008.

The next phase in roadway improvements to the COATC includes extending James Parkway north from Kaiser Drive to Irving Wick Drive West. With the land acquisitions, the Port Authority is proposing to build a new bridge that will be part of the public street and replace the 1960’s-era bridge that currently serves as the east entrance to The Base.

Triggered by the next phase of improvements is a reconfiguration of the East Parking Lot at The Base. A new entranceway and configuration will see less spaces but modern parking facilities and compliance with security standards.

The improvements will have a huge safety and public access impact on the eastern side of the Base Campus while opening up another 70 acres of property on the campus for development. The latest, preferred preliminary layout option is online for review.

After additional rounds of investigation on soil and groundwater conditions and planning completed earlier this year, cleanup of this small parcel on the southeast side of The Base was committed to by the Air Force Real Property Agency. The AFRPA, in a letter dated December 11, 2007 committed to resume cleanup work in 2008 on the 0.75 acre parcel of former Newark AFB property still owned by the U.S. Air Force. The cleanup project, when it commences, will see major soil removal work. The Port Authority has no financial stake in this project but has been an advocate for this cleanup since 1996.

The first phase of the project, managed by the Air Force Real Property Agency, actually began May 7, 2007 with demolition of three buildings that remained on the parcel. An early victim of the project was the softball field on the west side.

The end product is hoped to be removal of a harsh regulatory veil on this one section of property and, most importantly, a "clean" site. When it is deemed clean, the Port Authority will be transferred ownership for possible future reuse.