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The decision to actually build a new airport, as previously noted, is contingent <br />on a number of factors. Given the identified reliever system deficiencies, however, <br />the process to resolve the feasibility of this recommendation should not be delayed. <br />At the point in time when the feasibility of this project could actually be determined <br />(five to six years), more information will be available on the outstanding aviation <br />issues noted for the metropolitan azea. If it is determined that it is feasible to <br />develop a new airport in Seazch Area "A," and issues have not been resolved related <br />to the long-term strategy for meeting the region's commercial air service needs, it is <br />recommended that the site be land banked until a commercial service strategy is <br />defined. If development of a new airport in Search Area "A" is found to be feasible, <br />consideration should be given to providing an intermediate airport with precision <br />approach capabilities. Again, the decision to actually build this facility as an <br />intenmediate airport would be driven by actual demand levels over the next several <br />years, as well as by decisions related to the future. of Minneapolis-St. Paul <br />International. <br />Previous studies in the region that actually identified and established Seazch <br />Area "A" considered only the development of a minor airport. While a new airport <br />in Seazch Area "A" would be developed initially as a minor airport given projections <br />of business jet activity for the region coupled with the fact that only one intermediate <br />airport is now available within the reliever system to serve this demand, options <br />should be preserved to upgrade a new airport from minor to intermediate status. <br />The need to actually build such an intermediate facility must, however, be determined <br />as part of the continuous planning process. During the continuous planning process, <br />demand levels for the existing system will be monitored, in conjunction with decisions <br />related to the. cotmercial airport track. These continuous monitoring efforts will <br />guide decisions oa the actual need to build a new airport in Search Area "A".and on <br />both the short-term and long-term roles for the facility. <br />~ J <br />V-9 <br />