End could be imminent for airport
“By the end of next week Lawrence County Commissioners should know if they have the go-ahead to try to turn the county airport into the latest shopping venue for the Tri-State.
Instead of having their regular Thursday session, Commissioners Bill Pratt and Freddie Hayes will meet in executive session with the attorneys for the Richard Wilson family over the upcoming eminent domain lawsuit.
“We will try to come up with an agreement on the eminent domain lawsuit and structure an agreement to put the property up for sale,” Pratt said.
More than a year ago, the commissioners filed a petition in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court to acquire through eminent domain 47 acres contiguous to the current boundaries of the Chesapeake airport. That land is currently owned by the Richard Wilson family Adding the acreage to the airport was to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations to provide an adequate approach to the air strips including trimming or removing trees at the ends of the runways.”
Ironton Tribune 6 June 2013.