(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents Atlas Global Development Group.)
By Shawn White | Painted Desert Tribune
Winslow City Council took a step toward possible development at Winslow-Lindbergh Regional Airport Tuesday, voting unanimously to authorize staff to negotiate the details of a development agreement with DAVCON Aviation.
The vote does not approve a final agreement, but it allows city staff to begin negotiating one with the company for a proposed airport development plan. DAVCON Aviation is led by David Wakefield, who is also listed as a principal of Atlas Global Development, the group tied to the broader Winslow I-40 TradePort concept. Dan Lupien, one of the main public figures behind Atlas Global’s I-40 TradePort work, is also listed as a principal at DAVCON Aviation an organization that has completed several airport developments including at Mesa-Gateway Airport.
Economic Development Director Jack Fitchett told council the city has been working with Wakefield for the better part of a year on a proposal for the airport. He said the proposal had been reviewed by city staff and the Winslow Airport Commission before coming to council.
“We’ve been working with Mr. Wakefield for the better portion of a year on getting a proposal submitted for the development of our airport,” Fitchett said. “We’ve been going back and forth. He’s submitted a really great proposal. We’ve been working with the airport commission. We had a staff working team that went back and forth on this numerous times and we think that we have a very good proposal.”
Fitchett said council approval was needed before staff could move forward with negotiations on a master development agreement.
Wakefield joined the meeting by Zoom stating, “We’re excited about moving forward and showing some revenue and activity on an airport that’s kind of been dormant for some time.” Wakefield said he believes the next few years could be significant for aviation development, pointing to federal funding opportunities for airports and what he described as a strong aviation market in 2027 and 2028.
“I think 2027 and 28 are going to be the biggest aviation years we’ve ever seen in our life from development,” Wakefield said. “The money coming from the federal government with airports very much supports the ability. The grants I think will roll our direction because of the real community action.” He said the company’s first steps would be to evaluate the airport, conduct studies and follow the plan it submitted to the city.
