CONCERNED CRITTER'S EXPERT OPINION

According to Concerned Critter, the FAA is going to allow closure because MoDOT is telling them to.  That would almost make sense if the FAA wanted to close the airport.

From Concerned Critters comment, "If you want it in layman's terms, the FAA has found its scapegoat in MoDOT and now will say the airport can close on the recommendation from the state of Missouri."

5190.6b 22.3

The Administrator has delegated to ADOs and regional offices the authority to release, modify, or amend assurances of individual sponsor agreements under specific circumstances as prescribed in this chapter. ADOs and regional airports divisions do not have the authority to modify the list of assurances in a grant agreement. In addition, ADOs do not have the authority to effect a release permitting the abandonment, sale, or disposal of a complete airport. (See Order 1100.5, FAA Organization - Field, issued February 6, 1989.)

22.20. Release of Entire Airport.

a. Approval Authority. The FAA Associate Administrator for Airports (ARP-1) is the FAA approving official for a sponsor’s request to be released from its federal obligations for the purpose of abandoning or disposing of an entire airport before disposal can occur. That authority is not delegated. A copy of the sponsor's request, including related exhibits and documents, and a copy of the FAA Airports regional statement supporting and justifying the proposed action shall be provided to ARP-1.

If you want it in layman’s terms, the airport is not going anywhere until the ARP-1 says it is.  That means that closure is off the table until the ARP-1 says the airport is being operated the way the FAA says it will be operated.  The city if they want to continue with the closure will have to prove that they are following all the rules. 

This is one of the rules.

NOTE: Only benefits to the airport may be cited as justification for the release, whether tangible or intangible. The nonaviation interest of the sponsor or the local community – such as making land available for economic development – does not constitute an airport benefit that can be considered in justifying a release and disposal.

In layman’s terms, the airport property will never be turned into a strip mall.