After several months of work, the historic Gunflint Trail signs went back up on September 13, 2013 near the corner of First Street and Highway 61 by the Grand Marais Public Library. The work was completed by Yarrow Korf and Alicia Hein, pictured here with their baby, Aysha. Many layers of high-quality paint were used, as well as a little copper leaf – a special touch added by the artists. The new bear and canoe signs have some details the original signs did not, such as birch bark canoe markings. Korf would like to know if anyone remembers the canoe sign being blown down by wind, since it had some dents that led him to wonder. Cross River Lodge owner John Schloot was instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.
If all goes well, this time next year the Grand Marais/ Cook County Airport could be well on its way to expanding its runway to 5,000 feet, a critically important upgrade for the health, safety and economic wellbeing of county residents, according to the airport commission that oversees the facility.
To acquaint county residents with this important upgrade project, and to better acquaint them with their airport facilities, the airport commission and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce will host an open house from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.
A good time will be had by all, so don’t miss it, urges John Barton, airport commission chair: free food and beverages, courtesy of Gunflint Lodge and Lutsen Resort; a chance for a free 30-minute fall color air tour of the county; free chalk and acres of asphalt and concrete for youngsters to display their artistic skills; and a short program to explain the runway extension project.
There may also be lots of planes to view. The event has been advertised far and wide to pilots as a fall color fly-in as well as the local open house. If the weather is good and the fall colors are on display, the airport might be visited by aircraft from around the region. Rep. David Dill, who represents Cook County in the Minnesota House, has promised to fly in if he can, along with officials from Cirrus, the Duluth aircraft maker, and a representative of the Metropolitan Airports Commission in the Twin Cities. Other dignitaries also may be in attendance.
Sawtooth Aviation will be offering paid scenic flights through the day Saturday and will provide one free 30-minute flight to some lucky person or couple attending the event.
The airport commission has been working on the runway extension project for years. During a recent visit by officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and the aeronautics division of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the commission received the good news that its preliminary planning for the project has been approved. If the project fares well in competition for federal funds, the go-ahead could come in 2014 to proceed with design and phase 1 construction of this threephase project. Total cost of the extension is expected to total about $5 million when finished, with the FAA funding 90 percent of the costs.
In preliminary cost-benefit evaluation, the project received strong marks from the FAA for its public safety value. Where the current 4,200-foot runway is too short, a 5,000-foot runway would allow firefighting aircraft to use the airport. The longer runway also would allow takeoffs and landings by faster aircraft that could transport critically ill or injured people to advanced medical care far more quickly than is now possible. And the longer runway also will allow more visitors and seasonal Cook County residents to get to and from the county via aircraft, increasing the likelihood they will spend time here.
The Cook County Chamber of Commerce has signed on as co-sponsor of the fly-in and open house because it views the runway extension as a critical element in strengthening the Cook County economy, said Jim Boyd, interim Chamber executive director.
“This should be educational and a lot of fun,” he said. “We hope the entire community will attend the open house and learn more about their important air link to the world.”
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