Airport Director Addresses Recent Concerns over Land Purchase

Just this past February, the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport closed on a new property they had purchased on the north end of the airport. Some residents in that same area, however, voiced concerns about the process and transparency of the purchase. Airport Director Dean Selby sat down with The Expositor to explain the process, which he felt only benefited all parties involved.

The initial concerns from some residents pertained to the purchase. Due to a lack of information on the purchase, they were worried that the property may not have been purchased for the right amount. In addition, a plan for the airport had listed various other properties in the area.

Like most government run departments, Upper Cumberland Regional Airport has a 10-year plan set out. On said plan, there are properties listed that could have potential to be purchased. The property purchased was one of said plans.

Director Selby explained that although there are multiple areas listed as having potential, it does not mean the airport is absolutely going to pursue buying it.

“These are properties we have identified that could potentially be seen as purchasable, so we can get federal or state funding to assist,” said Director Selby. “We don’t have to buy it, though. Putting it on here doesn’t mean we’re absolutely going to. But if someone comes to us wanting to sell, and we haven’t listed it on here, we can’t get any funding for that. From the state or federal.”

In regard to the property purchase itself, Director Selby felt that it was a fair arrangement. The gentleman still farms the land despite having sold it, as the airport has no plans to build anything in that property in the foreseeable future. The purchase was just due to safety as that section of the property was in the airport’s safety area. After discussion, negotiation, and property appraisals, the airport and gentleman came to an agreed amount and lease.

“It was a very open dialogue,” Director Selby said. “He wanted to continue farming it. We wanted to make sure we provided a safe area for potential growth. We are trying to be a good neighbor and viable part of the community for the entire region.”

The Expositor also spoke to the former property owner himself, though he chose to remain anonymous. He shared Dean Selby’s sentiment on the sale.

“Dean was good and upfront about everything,” he said. “He was beneficial to both sides, I think. I think it was great for him and me.”

While the initial concerns arose from the purchase of the property itself, some residents in the area also voiced a concern about transparency. In particular, the plans the airport has did not seem easily acquired, and there was nowhere online that one could see plans, minutes, or agendas for board meetings.

The airport, for their part, has been working on a website to try and address these concerns. Director Selby claimed that any publicly available documents will be on the website, as well as minutes for the Board meetings that are publicly open every month. Selby hopes that the new website will be finished soon, the next month or two if all goes well.