Article published Apr 5, 2008

Land by base runway valued at $7 million

By PETER JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Writer

A new study projects the community would have to pay up to $6.8 million to buy private land near Malmstrom Air Force Base to keep the runway free of encroachment and available for any future flying missions.

The same study, by Ferro Appraisal Services of Great Falls, estimates it would cost about $4.1 million to buy development rights, which would allow landowners to farm the land, but not build homes or businesses.

Local government and business leaders discussed the report Friday. They plan to hold an informational forum soon and, later, city and county hearings.

The goal is to gauge public sentiment and try to reach a community consensus within a month on whether to launch an effort to raise money to buy the property.

The issue first cropped up more than two years ago when commercial and residential developers proposed projects for the southeastern edge of Great Falls.

Malmstrom boosters want development near the runway curtailed so they can try to persuade the Air Force to reopen the runway closed in 1996, when an in-air refueling mission was sent to Florida.

However, affected property owners say they've waited patiently and want residential development allowed in one of the prime growth areas in Great Falls.

Area property owner Dan Huestis said Friday he appreciated local officials trying to resolve the issue in a month, adding "it's really not fair to take the process past that timeframe."

Builder Bob Corwin, whose C&W Development company has a contract to buy land and build housing in the area, agreed.

"I'm pleased that the process is working and that landowners and developers are part of it," he said.

The Great Falls Development Authority commissioned two studies.

The first clarified accident potential zones for military planes where development is limited.

Then Ferro Appraisal Services projected the costs of buying the land that falls in those zones, ranging from $5.5 million to $6.8 million, or the development rights, which ranged from $2.8 million to $4.1 million.

Ben Rangel, city planning director, said those figures were "ballpark estimates" based on comparable sales. Negotiations could go higher, he said.

County Commissioner Joe Briggs predicted it will take the combined support of city, county and private interests to buy the land.

Congress and the state Legislature could be asked to appropriate money, GFDA President Brett Doney said, since Malmstrom is important to the state economy and national defense.

The GFDA board "did not show strong initial enthusiasm toward launching a fundraising campaign because it has a lot more on its plate," he said, including a possible bond issue to build an industrial park.

Briggs said he would want to see public support for the project because purchase would require tax money, such as the county's share of the PPL Montana protested tax settlement or a bond issue.

Briggs said he favors the community buying the property "as a good investment to protect Malmstrom's future."

A new Malmstrom flying mission would bring at least 500 airmen and $20 million in improvements, Briggs said. More importantly, it would shore up the long-term viability of the base, which relies on its missile mission, which could be phased out in 20 years or less, he added.

Air Force officials have said they have no plans to bring a flying mission to Malmstrom, but Briggs said that could change in eight months with a new presidential administration.

"Malmstrom has a large and uncrowded flying and training space in northcentral Montana that's a huge asset the Air Force will need," he said.

Briggs also suggested that the community could buy the land in segments. For instance, it could pay $3 million to first buy the land south of Malmstrom's runway, which is more likely to be developed, he said.