By Trace Salzbrenner — Correspondent
Opponents of the proposed Hanscom Field jet hangar expansion may have hoped that recent federal funding issues might derail the project.
They could be out of luck: The Massachusetts Port Authority says the expansion proposal won’t be affected, and developers say they plan to move forward this year.
Amber Goodspeed of Massport attended the March 18 Hanscom Field Advisory Commission meeting and said some projects, such as a newly approved runway renovation, may see delays due to federal cuts.
One community member asked whether similar delays could affect the jet hangar expansion. Goodspeed said no.
A spokesperson for Proponents Runway Realty Ventures LLC and North Airfield Ventures LLC said in a phone call after the meeting that the developers don’t expect delays. They plan to submit an updated version of their Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) by early fall.
In June 2024, regulators with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office rejected the developers’ previous DEIR, calling the report insufficient and saying it did not adequately address environmental concerns.
Massport declined to comment and said all questions about the development timeline should be directed to the proponents.
The hangar expansion proposal has generated significant opposition from environmental advocacy and historical preservation groups, among others.
