For the first time in two decades, the airport business park is expanding, with bid packages out seeking proposals for previously undeveloped land.
For the first time in two decades, the airport business park is expanding, with bid packages out seeking proposals for previously undeveloped land.
Four lots, ranging from 9,300 to about 140,000 square feet, have been made available for lease in the business park. A request for proposals (RFP) was issued last month by the airport commission.
The lots were made available following a lengthy approval process involving the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and Federal Aviation Authority.
They are available for leases of up to 20 years with one 20-year extension. All four are situated on the outskirts of the business park, with the two largest lots bordering Barnes Road near the business park entrance.
The RFP quickly generated interest.
“Altogether approximately 50 RFPs have been taken out,” airport property manager Kevin Brennan told the Gazette by phone Wednesday.
Proposals are due May 20. Mr. Brennan said final decisions are slated to be made at a Martha’s Vineyard airport commission meeting on June 9.
Mr. Brennan described what he said had been “years of waiting to get to this point.”
Created in the 1990s, the 64-acre business park surrounds the airport proper and includes 37 lots, all in use. The park is controlled by the airport commission.
Recently there has been strong demand and a waiting list for leased space at the park, which currently houses an array of Island-based businesses including a gas station, a car repair shop, landscaping, construction and telecommunications satellites. A branch office of the state Registry of Motor Vehicles is located in the park, along with headquarters for the Vineyard Transit Authority.
Mr. Brennan said the four lots became available after the FAA determined it would not be able to use them, marking the first time in 20 years new land has been made available at the airport.
“No new land has ever been leased since that time,” he said. “Until now.”
The Martha’s Vineyard Commission reviewed and approved the expansion plans last October.
Airport commissioner Richard Knabel told the Gazette by phone Thursday that he wasn’t sure exactly what the range of proposals will look like, but he said the airport commission will look to serve the Island business community as much as possible.
“It’s what the business park is for — to support the Island,” he said.
Competition is likely to be high, Mr. Knabel said, noting that some Boston developers had shown interest, although he did not elaborate.
“If there’s that much interest, there’s obviously a lot of competition,” he said.
Mr. Brennan said that the newly available space could offer small Island businesses an opportunity to expand, or move into more business-friendly zoning.
“We’re constantly notified of businesses that are operating out of homes,” he said. “So here’s this opportunity to say . . . if you want to get your business out of your garage, here are opportunities.”
He said Federal Aviation Administration rules and Edgartown zoning regulations apply to any uses at the business park. For instance, he said cannabis grow facilities aren’t allowed under FAA regulations.
“It has to be . . . best use as determined by the airport commission,” Mr. Brennan said.
He said the airport will use a number of criteria in the decision-making process, including financial background, community benefits and the business experience of proposers.
He also said the airport will look at the impact the tenant will have on the business park and surrounding area, noting the MVC raised detailed questions about traffic impacts in its review of the expansion.
“So those are some of the considerations outlined in the RFP that will help us evaluate best use,” Mr. Brennan said.

Comments
With all the land the airport
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownWith all the land the airport has there is no reason they couldn't set aside 20 acres and build a nice 100 unit apartment building for the workers who work hard and live in their cars and there are 100's of them. And the airport could make some money on it. How can they be so greedy and obtuse and never even suggest it. I come from a dump housing project in southie,but one thing about those slums if someone had the will to work they could get a place in the projects to live until they moved ahead. Here we have well educated and skilled honest hard workers living in their cars and that's wrong and it's because of NIMBY and the majority of the snobs who think they are better than the working class men and women.
Bad idea! I also grew up in a
Marie BostonBad idea! I also grew up in a housing project in Boston and NYC it is horrible! You can’t build a high rise and expect everyone to be ok.
I want a yard for my kids to play in. I want it to be safe no noise from an airport. There is so much land on the Forest and open space in Chilmark …
Charlie,
Neil ChilmarkCharlie,
Building at the airport is not allowed per FAA. Money that the landbank takes in is disgusting. 1/2 of that money should be set aside for affordable housing. Not another tax.
Could one or more of the lots
Richard Paradise Vineyard HavenCould one or more of the lots be used for higher density affordable rental housing (for example an apartment building)?
Some of this land should be
Nancy Valentino Vineyard HavenSome of this land should be earmarked for affordable housing.
We used to have very dark
Peter EdgartownWe used to have very dark skies on the island and easily see the stars and the Milky Way in all their glory. That’s become increasingly more difficult as more and more outside lights are added here.
The Airport Business Park is currently one of the larger light pollution sources on the island, second perhaps only to the sodium vapor pole lights at the NSTAR facility on Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road. I believe Airport Park businesses are currently required to have outside security lighting, and the easiest way to do that is just slap a bright light on the outside wall. So the light shines outward and upward the not really illuminating the building itself, just spending the power on lighting the sky.
With their expansion plans, the Airport Business Park needs to start updating their outdoor lighting rules to require masking of spill light and help preserve our view of the night sky. Perhaps a change in town building codes or zoning regulations would help. Remember, concentrating on lighting only parking lot surfaces and buildings themselves saves money because you are not paying for electricity to light the sky.
For those interested, www.darkskyInitiative.org has good information on the problem and the solutions. Please help save our dark skies that are one of the reasons the Vineyard is so special.
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