Lafayette’s airport celebrates its 40th birthday this fall.

For four decades it has been known as “The Lafayette Municipal Airport.”

Following Lafayette City Council’s meeting Tuesday, Oct. 6, the airport now will be known as “The Lafayette Municipal Airport Page Durham Field.”

The addition to the airport’s existing name is to honor former Lafayette mayor Page Durham, who was in office at the time the airport was constructed.

Current Lafayette Mayor James Y. Carter said Durham played a significant role in getting the airport constructed.

“It was in the back of my mind that Page doesn’t have anything named in his honor,” Carter said. “He was mayor for 16 years, I believe, and nothing is really named after him.

“I said, ‘hey, that will be a good thing to do.’ And the council agreed.”

By a 6-0 vote, the council approved the motion to re-name the airport, located at 1000 Airport Road.

Engineering contracts

City Council approved a new five-year agreement with Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon Consultants for engineering services for the airport.

Carter said the Nashville-based firm has had an agreement with the city for the last five years but that such agreements have to be renewed every five years.

“We asked for 15 submittals from various firms across the state,” Carter told the council. “Nine were submitted back to us.”

Also, the council authorized Carter to sign a 90/10 grant contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for fuel tank card readers and T-hanger construction.

Helping hands

City employees may contribute sick time to Grant Malo, if needed, the council approved.

Auction

The council authorized the sale city surplus items at the Nov. 07 North Central Telephone auction.