The Levy County Board of County Commissioners has taken the first step toward a planned facelift for the George T. Lewis Airport in Cedar Key. In a recent meeting, the Board voted to enter into an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to accomplish an airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan. FDOT has agreed to provide funds to the County so they can proceed in the selection of an engineering consulting firm to prepare a layout design of proposed upgrades and changes. The County also will need to appoint a Technical Review Committee composed of local citizens who would be charged with the task of developing an Airport Master Plan. The Master Plan would outline recommendations to the Board on the direction the airport should go in coming years. Normally the cost share for such joint projects would require matching funds of up to 20% from the County. However, FDOT has agreed to provide $50,000 to the County and waive the match requirement under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Program. The George T. Lewis airport is one of 129 general aviation airports through out the State of Florida. A general aviation airport is one that is classified as open to the public but with no scheduled airline service.
The airport was constructed in the 1930`s as a WPA Project under the Roosevelt Administration. The Town of Cedar Key turned the airport over to the County in the 1940`s. On several occasions during WWII, the facility was used for military training exercises. The County has two years in which to complete this phase of the project. | 