Airport receives $350k, new name
San Marcos Daily Record
David Short, Executive Editor
August 5, 2014
San Marcos airport receives new regional name
It’s now official. San Marcos Municipal Airport is now San Marcos Regional Airport, a name change that better reflects the facility’s mission and purpose in Central Texas. The change had been in the works for some time but had to wait for final approval from both the Federal Aviation Administration and Texas Department of Transportation.
“The new name and corresponding logo are part of the overall branding effort laid out in the airport’s business plan,” Cassidy Berenato, director of marketing and administration, said. “We surveyed airport tenants and users and spoke extensively with stakeholders in the community before choosing ‘San Marcos Regional’ as the name.”
Hangar demand and airport growth
With more familiarity came more demand for hangar space at the fast-growing airport. One of two major projects scheduled to begin in early 2015 was additional hangar development.
“The demand for hangars at San Marcos Regional Airport is off the charts. We have a long wait-list and receive calls almost daily from pilots who want to base here,” Berenato said.
TxDOT safety grant
Recognizing the ongoing growth and how the city, through Texas Aviation Partners, had handled that growth under its airport management contract, TxDOT awarded $350,000 to the airport for additional security fencing and access gates.
“The main goal of the fence is to increase safety. Requiring a code to access the Aircraft Operating Area prevents accidental incursions and limits the number of vehicles operating among aircraft,” Berenato said.
Parking lot construction
At the same time, the city contributed almost $100,000 for parking lot construction.
“Public parking has been sorely needed at the airport for a long time,” Berenato said. “It makes a lot of sense for us to complete these projects side-by-side.”
Key details
- New name: San Marcos Regional Airport.
- Prior name: San Marcos Municipal Airport.
- Grant funding: $350,000 from TxDOT for fencing and access gates.
- City contribution: nearly $100,000 for parking lot construction.
- Airport manager: Texas Aviation Partners under contract with the city.
Related TAP resources
- Current airport projects
- Airport management and business planning services
- Contact Texas Aviation Partners
FAQ
Why did the airport name change?
The new name better reflected the airport’s regional role and Central Texas mission.
What did the $350,000 grant fund?
The TxDOT grant funded additional security fencing and access gates to improve safety around the Aircraft Operating Area.
