COUPEVILLE: Port’s airport venture cost thousands (WNT)

Karina Andrew reports for the Whidbey News-Times from the Port of Coupeville.

The Port of Coupeville spent over $45,000 in taxpayer money in a failed attempt to purchase the A.J. Eisenberg Airport.

Beginning around October 2021, the Port of Coupeville commissioners explored the idea of purchasing the small airport at the encouragement of a number of pilots who store their planes there. The community airport has fallen into disrepair in recent decades, and local aviators hoped that public investment could restore the airport to its former level of functionality and economic vitality.

After completing a $45,000 due diligence process, however, port commissioners ultimately determined that the port could not feasibly operate the airport and withdrew an offer on the property. A motion to terminate the port’s purchase and sale agreement passed in a 2-1 vote.

They Said It

Expenses accrued in the process included $5,500 for a Phase 1 environmental assessment, $26,400 for a Phase 2 environmental assessment, $155 for water sampling and $13,000 in legal support, according to port Executive Director Chris Michalopoulos.

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