Mark Paslick

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The first phase of airport construction in the Tasso community will begin in October, the Cleveland Municipal Airport Authority was told Friday.

Mark Paslick of PDC Consultants said Wright Brothers Construction Co. has been awarded the contract for the first phase of work. The contract is for just more than $5.7 million. All the necessary state permits are expected to be in hand before the end of September, he said.

The first phase includes building the main culvert, realigning a stream, moving a water line and an electric line and relocating Tasso Road

A conference will be held with Wright Brothers before construction starts, he said.

"As we all know, this is a real critical part of construction, this first phase, because of the stream," Mr. Paslick said.

Airport opponent Erin Fuller questioned whether the wetland mitigation project to be done at the former Rolling Hills Golf Course meets the federal recommendation.

She cited an advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration giving guidance on distances from the airport for wetlands mitigation.

Airport authority members said they think the location meets the federal recommendation.

"We need to make sure of that," Ms. Fuller said.

But the advisory says it's a recommendation, Mr. Paslick said.

Ms. Fuller said the FAA requires any project getting federal funds to follow the recommendation.

She also questioned whether the airport authority has talked about the mitigation work with a wildlife biologist as recommended.