Nearly Cleared For Takeoff: Osage Beach Closer To Acquiring Lake Of The Ozarks' Longest Airstrip

OSAGE BEACH, Mo. — The wheels are in motion for transferring ownership of the longest airstrip at Lake of the Ozarks. The Osage Beach Board of Alderman has given the green light for the City to strike an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), while a bill to approve the state's transfer of the airport is working its way through the Missouri legislature.

'A Good Deal'

Osage Beach stands to obtain 385 acres of Lake of the Ozarks State Park, including the Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport (AIZ), at no cost with a pending agreement. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources currently leases to the City, which could finally acquire both the airport and the underlying land.

In exchange, Osage Beach will take over approximately 14 miles of wastewater infrastructure in the park, which is already connected to city the collection system.

"It's a good deal for the city," said Osage Beach City Attorney Cole Bradbury. "We’ll have the ability to make our own destiny with it… it’s a big opportunity for us."

Pre-Flight Checklist

Bradbury explained the Missouri Legislature has to pass enabling legislation for the deal to happen. HB 2936 was filed March 1, 2024 to permit the DNR to transfer the land. The progress of the bill affects the timeline of the handoff to Osage Beach. If all goes smoothly, Bradbury said the transfer could happen this summer.

At the March 7 BOA meeting, Osage Beach Mayor Michael Harmison was authorized to enter a no-cost agreement with the FAA. The previous agreement was due to expire Sept. 30, 2024. This gives easements to the FAA so they continue to operate and maintain their existing navigational aid facilities on the airfield.

The City says Lee C. Fine is critical for the continued growth of the Lake community. It is the largest of the City's two airports (Grand Glaize Airport being the smaller) and is an asset to the area's economy through job creation, facilitating trade, enabling tourism, and supporting economic development.