In a stride towards expanding the economic horizons of Coshocton, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has cut the ribbon on a new airplane hangar at the Coshocton Richard Downing Airport. The hangar, sprawling over 7,040 square feet, stands on ground previously marked by the scars of abandoned mines, with funding sourced from the ODNR Division of Mineral Resources Management’s Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program. Its presence heralds a new chapter for the airport, earmarked for protected overnight and short-term housing of business and private aircraft, shielding them from weather wear and incidental damage.
Embracing flexibility in utility, the new facility is equipped to accommodate up to three midsize jets or a variety of planes and helicopters. According to an announcement by the ODNR, the project isn't just a structural addition; it's a pivot towards boosting four-season airport operations and an anticipated rise in revenue streams from hangar rentals and subsequent fuel sales. Avionics services and training operations are also part of the package and are expected to elevate the local general aviation sector.
The site’s transformation, from a mineral-extraction past to an aviation future, elicited comments from ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “It’s amazing to know that this land was used for mining in the past and today it’s an airport which serves the great purpose providing transportation, jobs, and an economic boost to the Coshocton area,” Mertz stated in a recent release. She stressed the importance of revitalization efforts in community enhancement and recognized the hangar as a new asset for the local airport.
The airport's origins can be traced to the 1960s, with the backing of former Governor James Rhodes and his state-wide aviation expansion vision. The land, made possible through a donation by the heirs of Richard Downing, founder of the Downing Coal Company, transformed from a 324-acre tract of reclaimed mine land into an infrastructure supporting transport and economic development. Besides boosting local amenities, additional funds have been earmarked for further reclamation projects on airport property, addressing safety and environmental concerns, such as removing high walls and water-filled pits. These efforts promise to enhance public safety and wildlife habitat and prepare grounds for prospective commercial ventures.
