By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

CALERA – Shelby County leaders are looking into improving the Shelby County Airport after the damage from the June 11 thunderstorms.

Instead of replacing the two six-bay shade hangars destroyed by the thunderstorms, County Manager Alex Dudchock said the county intends to build fully enclosed T-enclosed hangars on the north portion of the runway.

Dudchock also said the county is considering removing jet storage from the airport’s main hanger. The county would build a large hangar to store three to five jets. This would allow the main hangar and terminal building to contain avionic repairs and services.

“We would add avionics repair, because people are having to fly elsewhere for repairs,” Dudchock said.

“Due to this opportunity, we’re not looking to put back what we have,” he added. “We’re able to spatial plan better.”

Dudchock also said he hopes to open bids for a park and ride lot at the airport in December 2012. The 127-spot parking lot would cost approximately $650,000, where federal funds pay 80 percent and the county provides the 20-percent match, Dudchock said.