Braden Airpark Sale Still Up in the Air

The status of the sale of Braden Airpark is still up in the air.

Forks Township officials provided an update on the property at the Board of Supervisors meeting Thursday night, stating that Lehigh Valley Airport Authority representatives are in discussions with Lafayette College.

Township Manager John Cornell said he attended a Business and Commerce Association of Forks Township meeting on April 10 with airport authority representatives for a status update.

While the authority is trying to shed debt by selling some of its properties, Cornell said that the Sullivan Trail airport—which will soon be vacated by Moyer Aviation—might not be on the for-sale list.

"We asked where they envision Braden and there wasn't a desire to acquire the property," Cornell said. "But they didn't reveal their future plans. There's no decision on their current activities."

Supervisors Chairman Erik Chuss said that authority representatives stated that there's a $300,000 debt service annually from Braden and that Moyer Aviation only brings in $50,000 in revenue.

Chuss said the authority stated that it's having discussions with Lafayette College and that it would appear before supervisors before a final decision is made.

Lafayette College, a stone's throw away in College Hill, owns some land in Forks Township, including a spot for a garden and another for athletic fields.

Forks Township officials are wondering what will become of the airpark if it is sold and is asking the airport authority for input and a discussion.

Lafayette College officials have been mum on their interest over the airpark, which is zoned for recreational and educational needs.

The college has its Metzgar Fields Complex next to the airport where games like field hockey are played.

It is unknown when the LVAA will make a decision on whether to sell any of its properties to pay off a massive debt, but Forks officials believe that decision was coming sooner than first anticipated.