Braden Airpark Sale Up For Debate

Braden Airpark is on the agenda.

The Forks Township Board of Supervisors will once again discuss the topic of the Sullivan Trail airport's potential sale at its meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Township officials briefly discussed the airport at its recent work session, pondering whether they should reach out and express their views to the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, which is exploring selling its properties.

"Do we want to consider any action?" Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss asked.

That action could include sending a letter to the airport authority or inviting the authority to come before the board to discuss its plans for the parcel, which is currently zoned for recreation, education and municipal purposes.

"I want to see the sale proposal," Supervisor Dan Martyak said. "It's a public document. I would think they'd share it."

If the airport is sold, any development must be approved by Forks supervisors. But Forks does not have any say in who can buy it.

Township Manager John Cornell even has stated, based on providing the township protection, that Forks create its own airport authority.

Chuss said the airport authority has 120 days to conduct a study and then a year to go over the properties, determine their value and decide to sell them.

The authority is considering selling its 800 acres of property to pay off a massive debt. Braden Airpark consists of 80 acres.