A $400,000 plan to build additional space for pilots to store planes at the DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport was approved by the DeKalb City Council Monday night.

Millions of dollars in improvements have already been made to the airport over the past 26 years, Airport Manager Tom Cleveland. The improvements have attracted more pilots to the airport.

“We now have 25 people’s names on the waiting list for hangar space,” Cleveland said.

Airport officials can now begin construction on the plan to build one 10-unit “T-style” hangar. The T-style hangar will be able to house corporate jets and other aircraft.

“We have two prepared sites, so we could build two right now,” Cleveland said.

Some on the city council expressed concern about the affordability of the project.

Fifth Ward Alderman Patrick Conboy said he was concerned about overhead and maintenance costs.

City Manager Mark Biernacki said the lease agreement would produce about $4,320 per year.

Additional revenue would come directly from the sale of the hangars. The city would receive a percentage of the total sale price.

The airport is trying to stay conservative and fill up the first hangar before construction begins on a second hangar, Cleveland said.

“We will be back in February to get the lease agreement signed by the city council. We should have something up and running by mid-summer,” said Cleveland.

In other business the council approved to use the amount of $1,454,350 in motor fuel taxes to make improvements to Macom Drive, starting from Fairview Drive to Peace Road

In honor of the late state representative David Wirsing, the city council mandated that Oakland Drive near Peace Road be known as Wirsing Parkway.