Peoria Airpark
About
IMPORTANT UPDATE
At the Peoria City Council Study Session on January 14, 2025, Council was presented with an Airport Site Selection Study to learn more about potential sites for an airport/airpark in Peoria. This was preceded by a multiple-phase study and review process over a two-year period. In fact, the idea of building an airport and/or airpark dates back over 20 years and several administrations ago. In both cases, the idea to explore an airport in Peoria was to provide an economic catalyst to spark new business, job, and revenue creation for the city. During the January 14 Study Session the presentation revealed the following:
- An airpark was feasible; with Site 1 supporting a conceptual airport
- Impacts of protecting an airport on adjacent lands is counter to State Trust Land objectives (owner of the land currently), by restricting uses surrounding an airport, etc...
- Recent IGA with Arizona State Land and the City provides an alternative path to grow revenue, jobs, and quality commercial/retail/restaurants in the city
- BASED ON THIS INFORMATION STAFF STATED THAT THE CITY WOULD NO LONGER BE PURSUING AN AIRPORT/AIRPARK, NOR MARKETING FOR A PRIVATE DEVELOPER TO BUILD ONE IN THE CITY
A Summary Report of the Site Selection Study and the decision to NOT pursue, nor actively market for an airport/airpark in Peoria is coming soon.
Project Description
The Peoria Airpark is envisioned as a general aviation airport co-located with a commercial and industrial park. The Airpark as proposed would create thousands of new jobs in aviation, aerospace, and defense industries. These businesses will generate a new, vibrant economic engine for the City of Peoria.
A preliminary economic impact assessment (PDF) estimates that the Peoria Airpark could bring $1 billion in annual economic impact, nearly 8,000 jobs, and over $60 million annually in state and local taxes. The $1 billion of annual economic impact is equivalent to having a Super Bowl in Peoria every year.
Updates
The city remains in the data collection and evaluation phase of a proposed Peoria Airpark.
There are six studies and reports that will be conducted. The studies and reports will include a Feasibility Study, two Economic Impact Studies, and Economic Modeling Tool, a Site Selection Study, a Master Plan, and an Environmental Assessment (EA).
Three of these studies began in July of 2023.
All studies are conducted by highly experienced, third-party independent consultants who possess exceptional subject matter expertise. Once completed, all studies will be posted on this webpage in their entirety under the Related Information section.
The first study, the Feasibility Study, was recently completed, and the findings were presented to the City Council on May 7, 2024. This Feasibility Study (PDF) concluded that a new general aviation airport located in or around the north Peoria area is feasible and justified for further study. Consequently, the next study is the Site Selection Study and is expected to take roughly six months to complete.
Remaining studies will provide market-based feedback on product mix, job creation, and how the airpark will buoy economic activity in Peoria and surrounding areas, as it relates to creating a major economic hub in Peoria.
The next Site Selection Study, will examine potential sites for a new general aviation airport and associated corporate airpark, collectively referred to as the Airpark, to serve as an economic development engine for Peoria. This is the second of four planning studies generally required by the FAA for the development of a new general aviation airport that is planned to be included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS). The study will generally identify suitable locations for an Airpark, and ultimately provide a recommended site. The study, which has not started, is expected to take six to nine months to complete. The results of the study will be presented publicly, including the full report.
Economic Impact Council Presentation (PDF) 8/20/24
Background
The City Council’s Strategic Economic Development Priority calls for new revenue and job creation. The Peoria Airpark supports this priority. A working partnership group that includes city staff, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona State Land, the Federal Aviation Administration, City of Phoenix Aviation staff, Coffman Associates, Rounds Consulting Group, and Jim Hesseman - Vistancia resident and pilot, have been in discussions about the proposed Peoria Airpark since 2023.
The idea of building and airport and/or airpark dates back 24 years and several administrations. It is important to note that the city has previously studied the possibility of building an airpark in Peoria, dating back to the year 2000. The city commissioned Airport Feasibility Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies in 2000, and learned an airport was feasible at that time. Council did not take any action to move beyond the feasibility studies in 2000. Here are the studies:
The city also incorporated the creation of a corporate airport in north Peoria, when putting together a proposal to attract Amazon HQ2 in 2017.
- See the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ7IEIicP2c
- See the Arizona Republic Article, published October 27, 2017
