The local airport is looking to take off.

DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, 3232 Pleasant St., has several projects in the making that will help the airport expand.

One major long-term project that is in the works is an air park.

The air park will be constructed over 10 acres of land and will be able to house 100 T-Hangars, said airport manager Tom Cleveland.

A private contracting company, M&E LLC DeKalb Inc., entered a 50-year land lease agreement with the airport and is now able to build hangars on the airport property.

“There is a market out there for it,” Cleveland said.

The airport is also working with NIU’s athletic department to allow for NIU to fly in and out of the airport, as well as having opposing teams use the facilities available.

Currently NIU and the opponents fly from Rockford.

In order for this to be possible, the airport must be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as a FAA 139 Limited Commercial Airport.

Once the airport is approved, they will be able to get airliners for the university in and out, Cleveland said.

Cleveland explained the north/south runway at the airport can support up to a 737-DC9 and a 727 which are smaller airliners.

A corporate hangar will also be built this summer on the airport’s property.

Measuring 150 feet by 150 feet, this hangar will be able to house larger aircrafts which the airport would otherwise not have had room for.

Also, in the future, there will be a restaurant and a gas station built on the airport property on the corner of Peace and Pleasant roads.

The restaurant will be accessible from Peace and Pleasant roads, and those inside the airport will be able to drive their aircrafts to the restaurant.

DeKalb City Manager Mark Biernacki said the airport benefits the city’s economy.

“The airport serves as an economic development entity for not only the city, but for the entire county,” Biernacki said. “Being able to fly in and out of the city attracts business. It has attracted and continues to attract businesses to DeKalb.”