Business dealings between city, airport questioned

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Douglas' new airport commission will meet Thursday night for the second time.

For months now Channel 9 has been digging into the controversial business dealings between the city of Charlotte and the airport.

In October Channel 9 reported the city never paid a $3 million loan it took from the airport more than 20 years ago.

Eyewitness News discovered $425,000 in airport money paid for the construction of the police hangar at Charlotte Douglas.

The city never paid that back or paid rent.

In a September letter, a city attorney recommended reimbursement start as soon as possible for the police hangar, and animal care and control.

Channel 9 learned the city still has not written a single check.

Fire station 30 on Belle Oaks Drive has operated on airport property for more than 20 years and the city hasn't paid any rent.

Airport officials tell us that property is being appraised and they're trying to determine how the airport benefits by having the station on its property.

Eyewitness News uncovered information that while the airport is still assessing, the city and airport already reached a deal about the fire station.

A letter of agreement states Station 30 will provide backup personnel and staffing to the airport in lieu of rent.

Channel 9 uncovered in the past 6 years 27 percent of the station's calls have been on airport property.

The question remains, is that for Station 30 to stay here rent free?

Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration said they're looking into it.

The city and the airport started working on Fire Station 30 in February, when Jerry Orr was still in charge of Charlotte Douglas.

WSOC