(Milford)– It’s been nearly two years ago the Spirit Of Okoboji Group led by businessman Tim Kinnetz expressed interest in purchasing the Milford Airport for a development and actually made an offer for it. No action was taken by the city at that time. Instead, the city council, along with the city’s airport commission, authorized the first phase of a feasibility study into the airport, which has since been completed. The matter has been idle since then. That is, until last (Mon.) evening’s city council meeting. Representatives of a committee spearheaded by the Spirit of Okoboji presented plans to the council for a 53 unit housing project that would be built on what is now a grass runway. The proposal also includes a provision that 25 acres of land at the same site be donated to the Okoboji Community Schools for the construction of a new Elementary School.
The committee has been meeting since mid-May. Mayor Steve Anderson said he’s concern that the city had been invited to only one of those meetings, adding the matter should go to the city’s housing commission for an official recommendation to the full council. He also added that any action right now is still premature until there’s a viable option for the airport…
Councilman Shane Hoffman disagreed, saying the whole situation is getting way too drug out and that the process needs to be sped up…
Representatives of the council’s housing commission will be invited to the group’s next meeting and will gather additional information and draft a recommendation for the council. City council members also reminded the group any sale of the airport would need to go through a public process.
