Latest Brainard Airport Information

Mandated by April 2022 legislation, at a taxpayer cost of $ 1.5 mil, the Department of Economic and Community Development has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Brainard Airport Property (BAP) Study: 2022/2023 RFP Name: Brainard Airport Property Study 2022

RFP Purpose:

Public Act No. 22-118, Section 426, mandates the CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) on behalf of the state to assess the benefits and opportunity costs to the city of Hartford and the state of the current and alternative uses of the Hartford Brainard Airport property. The state must do so in a way that is consistent with and supports the bill’s stated goals of promoting the health, welfare, and safety of people in Connecticut; increasing their quality of life; boosting tourism; stimulating the economy; and enhancing people’s ability to enjoy the Connecticut river.

HARTFORD — The first study of redevelopment alternatives for Hartford-Brainard Airport in nearly two decades is shaping options for distribution, residential and advanced manufacturing along with the century-old airfield remaining in existence.

The study, the first since 2006, was commissioned by the city of Hartford last year after a renewed push to close and redevelop the airport turned controversial and sparked opposition. The move to redevelop, supporters say, seeks to capitalize on the airport’s prime location on the Connecticut River and the potential to give a sorely-needed boost to the city’s tax base…

January 24, 2023 - After almost 4 years of negotiations, the city of Hartford has voted to honor the easement that has been in existence between the city and the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA). The easement allows for the clearing of trees in the vicinity of the airport that have grown over the years to cause obstruction to safe airplane approaches to Brainard’s runways. The trees have grown to a height that caused the cancellation of a nighttime instrument approach, limiting traffic into the airport. It is the responsibility of the CAA to require and oversee safe operations at Brainard and because of their efforts, an agreement has been reached to begin cutting or trimming the offending trees starting in early February. As long as the weather permits, the entire operation could be completed by March 1 of this year, all with minimal disruption of services.