There’s more to the Palmer Municipal Airport than meets the eye. Just ask Airport Superintendent John Diumenti.
One item is the Palmer Municipal Golf Course and the complicated relationship between the two.
The airport is part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems according to Diumenti. In other words, the Palmer airport is a piece of a large national aviation system. The system was developed for safety, defense, and commerce.
The FAA has invested federal funds in the airport over the years. And that money comes with strings attached due to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
The land where the golf course sits was purchased with federal assistance under the plan. The idea was that the property could eventually become part of the airport if needed.
In the mid-1980s, the city looked at the unused land and decided to build a golf course.
The FAA agreed with conditions. The golf course had to coexist with the airport. And the two operations could not interfere with each other.
That’s where some of the questions come in.
Federal rules state that revenue generated on federally obligated property can be considered airport revenue.
That means the city and the FAA have to work out how the golf course fits into those requirements.
This isn’t a new issue. The city ran into trouble in 2010 because there wasn’t a lease covering the golf course property. An appraisal was done, and the annual market rent was estimated at about 36 thousand dollars.
That number was based on land values at the time.
Palmer has changed since then. Land values have gone up, and there isn’t nearly as much vacant land available. So another appraisal was done.
Diumenti says another appraisal could be needed if the city and the FAA agree to release the property from its federal obligations.
The release would have to happen at fair market value.
For now, the FAA has indicated it isn’t looking to force a sale or take the property back. The Palmer City Council has directed staff to keep operating the golf course for another year.
The immediate goal is to work out an agreement that allows the golf course and airport to continue operating together while keeping the city in compliance with FAA requirements under the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
The answer to the question of what happens to the golf course long term will come later.
As for the airport itself, Diumenti says things are looking good. He says the airport isn’t supposed to be a money-making operation. Its purpose is to provide infrastructure and services for aviation and for businesses that operate at the airport.
The goal is to break even. And Diumenti says the airport is getting very close to doing just that.
There is plenty of work happening at the airport itself. A major lighting project is underway.
Crews are replacing lights, electrical wiring and conduit along the main taxiway.
The taxiway is 6,000 feet long. The project involves thousands of feet of new wiring and conduit.
Diumenti expects the work to be finished by late October.
As for rental space, there is a short waiting list for Taxiway E.
Otherwise, there is room for additional aircraft tie-downs.
Winter can be challenging. Aircraft parked outside are exposed to Palmer winds. Those storms can be tough on airplanes.
Diumenti says the airport is in good shape. He says the goal is to keep the airport right-sized, financially sustainable, and ready to serve Palmer’s aviation community and the businesses that depend on it.
Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.
Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.
Please support Page 2 News and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.
Mike Chmielewski reported this Page Two article and yours truly, Lee Henrikson produced it. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Monday September 14, 2026.
Page 2 Mon. Sept. 14: Palmer Airport Update
There’s more to the Palmer Municipal Airport than meets the eye. Just ask Airport Superintendent John Diumenti.
One item is the Palmer Municipal Golf Course and the complicated relationship between the two.
The airport is part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems according to Diumenti. In other words, the Palmer airport is a piece of a large national aviation system. The system was developed for safety, defense, and commerce.
The FAA has invested federal funds in the airport over the years. And that money comes with strings attached due to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
The land where the golf course sits was purchased with federal assistance under the plan. The idea was that the property could eventually become part of the airport if needed.
In the mid-1980s, the city looked at the unused land and decided to build a golf course.
The FAA agreed with conditions. The golf course had to coexist with the airport. And the two operations could not interfere with each other.
That’s where some of the questions come in.
Federal rules state that revenue generated on federally obligated property can be considered airport revenue.
That means the city and the FAA have to work out how the golf course fits into those requirements.
This isn’t a new issue. The city ran into trouble in 2010 because there wasn’t a lease covering the golf course property. An appraisal was done, and the annual market rent was estimated at about 36 thousand dollars.
That number was based on land values at the time.
Palmer has changed since then. Land values have gone up, and there isn’t nearly as much vacant land available. So another appraisal was done.
Diumenti says another appraisal could be needed if the city and the FAA agree to release the property from its federal obligations.
The release would have to happen at fair market value.
For now, the FAA has indicated it isn’t looking to force a sale or take the property back. The Palmer City Council has directed staff to keep operating the golf course for another year.
The immediate goal is to work out an agreement that allows the golf course and airport to continue operating together while keeping the city in compliance with FAA requirements under the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.
The answer to the question of what happens to the golf course long term will come later.
As for the airport itself, Diumenti says things are looking good. He says the airport isn’t supposed to be a money-making operation. Its purpose is to provide infrastructure and services for aviation and for businesses that operate at the airport.
The goal is to break even. And Diumenti says the airport is getting very close to doing just that.
There is plenty of work happening at the airport itself. A major lighting project is underway.
Crews are replacing lights, electrical wiring and conduit along the main taxiway.
The taxiway is 6,000 feet long. The project involves thousands of feet of new wiring and conduit.
Diumenti expects the work to be finished by late October.
As for rental space, there is a short waiting list for Taxiway E.
Otherwise, there is room for additional aircraft tie-downs.
Winter can be challenging. Aircraft parked outside are exposed to Palmer winds. Those storms can be tough on airplanes.
Diumenti says the airport is in good shape. He says the goal is to keep the airport right-sized, financially sustainable, and ready to serve Palmer’s aviation community and the businesses that depend on it.
Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.
Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.
Please support Page 2 News and Big Cabbage Radio. Become a member: Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.
Mike Chmielewski reported this Page Two article and yours truly, Lee Henrikson produced it. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Monday September 14, 2026.
Image credit: Big Cabbage Radio