City commissioners on Tuesday will be asked to move forward on their latest economic development bet at the Lawrence Municipal Airport.

At their weekly meeting, commissioners will be told that a project to extend city sewer service to the airport likely will cost $1.9 million.

Now, commissioners must decide whether they’re willing to spend the money in the hope that the improvements will attract more tax-paying aviation companies to the airport.

“I think it makes sense,” said Commissioner Lance Johnson. “The big thing is the tie in with the University of Kansas. They have an aerospace program that is really one of the tops. If we are able to capitalize on bringing aerospace and wind energy types of businesses here, it will be worth it.”

Commissioners have been told that development potential at the airport is limited unless city sewer service is extended to the site, which is about a half-mile outside of North Lawrence.

City-hired engineers are recommending that the city proceed with a two-phase sewer project at the airport. The first phase would involve installing a 10,000-gallon sewage holding tank that would be pumped periodically by the city, with the waste being delivered to the city’s sewage treatment plant.

Once the amount of airport development reaches the point that the tank needs pumped several times per week, the engineers recommend the city construct a traditional sewer line and pump station that would tie into the city’s sewer system. The two phases combined would cost about $1.9 million.

Other less traditional treatment options were considered. Burns & McDonnell, the city engineering firm, considered using a constructed wetland system to treat airport sewage, but estimated costs for that system came in at $3.4 million. The idea of using a tree farm to treat the waste was studied, but was dismissed after engineers determined it may take several years to develop.

The proposed sewer project previously has drawn concern from neighbors of the airport, who have said they fear a new sewer line will create pressures to develop the several hundred acres of farmland surrounding the airport with industrial uses.

But Ted Boyle, president of the North Lawrence Improvement Association, said residents have become convinced that the city has designed the new sewer system in a way that it would be difficult for it to serve an area larger than the airport.

“There has been a lot of discussion about that, and we think we have convinced them (city officials) that development out on that farmland would not be a good thing,” Boyle said.

Commissioners meet at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.