City to run new water line to airport

City commissioners on Tuesday agreed to move ahead on a project to build a new city water line to the Lawrence Municipal Airport in hopes of sparking new development at the facility.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to accept bids for the project in mid-October.

The water line is part of plans to attract at least two new businesses to the airport. Ottawa-based Hawkeye Helicopter tentatively has agreed to move its aerial inspection business to the airport, which would require building a new 15,000-square-foot hangar and office at the airport.

Lawrence-based DAR Corp. also has expressed an interest in building a new facility at the airport to house its aircraft design operations.

The water line would be installed on existing right-of-way along North Seventh Street and along U.S. Highway 24/40.