City of Columbia Files Eminent Domain Request
“The city of Columbia wants to expand Columbia Regional Airport, but one landowner is refusing to sell some of the land the airport needs. The city requires 58 acres to expand the runways at Columbia Regional. They successfully came to terms to purchase 53 acres from other owners.
City attorneys filed for an eminent domain request for the last 5 acres of land located north of the airstrip. The Federal Aviation Administration stated longer runways are a safety requirement for the airport if larger planes begin flying in and out of the airport. Chairman of the Airport Advisory Board Greg Cecil claims the renovations will also make it easier for pilots to see other aircraft.”
Kackley, Tom. KBIA Radio 28 May 2014.