Haleyville city officials gather at the Haleyville Municipal Airport to announce a project that will replace the current pilot lounge building, which has fallen into disrepair, with a new building. From left, Bryan Crumpton, airport attendant the past 45 years; Haleyville Street and Sanitation Director Chris Saylor; Director of Public Works Chris Wilbanks; Mayor Dr. Ray Boshell; clerks Christy Harbin and Caroline Thompson and City Council member Brian Berry.
HALEYVILLE - A major step has been taken by the City of Haleyville to remove a structure falling into disrepair at the Haleyville Airport and replace it with a new structure, as part of the city’s ongoing plan to enhance industrial and economic development.
“One of the big pushes of our administration is to try to get industry in, to try to get people jobs,“ Mayor Dr. Ray Boshell emphasized. “We want the goal, if you want a good job, you are going to be able to get it here and your kids can say the same thing.
“We need to try to do everything we can to make Haleyville look like it’s ready for business,” Boshell pointed out.
“If any of you have a chance to see our (airport office/lounge) facility, it has seen better days,” stressed Boshell to the council and the public at the council’s Monday, Jan. 5, meeting.
The former T-3 hangar was converted into an office in 1981, relocating the facility from the opposite side of the present runway, on the side of the golf course where the airport was formerly located, Boshell explained.
“They built a temporary building that was supposed to last for two years and that has been since the ‘80s,” Boshell emphasized.
Bryan Crumpton, the airport attendant the past 45 years, has seen the office area and pilot lounge fall into disrepair.
“It is something we need,” Crumpton said.
The office area, through the years, has indeed fallen into disrepair, with sagging and missing ceiling tiles and a rear wall that will shift when pressure is applied, city officials stressed.
At their January 5, meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve the purchase of a $35,833 barndominium that will be placed where the current office, which will be torn down, stands, city officials said.
Project costs will be saved with city employees helping with construction, as well as interior work needed for the new facility, the mayor further explained.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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