More room for GSP copters

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville city Council has agreed to renovate a hangar at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport to make more room for Georgia State patrol helicopters.

The contract, to get final approval at Tuesday's council meeting, gives the State Patrol more storage and office space for two copters already stationed at the airport according to pilot Ryan Holloway.

"We're in a confined area now but it will allow us to expand and for operations to run smoother," Holloway said.

Council approved also a long term lease for the state patrol hangar. The copters cover a 28 county area in North Georgia, performing a variety of services.

"We pretty much provide any aerial support to local and state agencies in the Northeast Georgia area," Holloway added. "We do fire suppression, searches for missing kids and adults, fugitives, and photo surveillance."

Total project cost was listed at just over $134,000, with the city getting a price break from the contractor that reduced his cost by $14,000.