Auburn Set To Decide Fate Of 1930s Airplane Hangar

AUBURN (CBS13) — Auburn city leaders are deciding the fate of a historic 1930s airplane hangar, something many pilots CBS13 spoke to say is an irreplaceable gem.

It has obvious wear and tear, with pockmarked, weathered sheet metal and rusted out holes. It's held together by planks of rotting wood, and if you look closely, it doesn't appear to be structurally sound.

Many seasoned pilots like Linda Robinson says they're anxious to see what city leaders do with the hangar, and offer some recommendations.

"I think it would be wonderful to have it as a museum," she said.

Getting to a proposed museum would be a dangerous proposition as an open airport would give families with easy access to a very busy runway.

"They have discussed a museum but I think traffic wise for a museum driving through the airport I don't think it's a good idea," said pilot Gary Jaques.

Robinson has flown from the airport for two decades and is concerned if the hangar is dismantled, an important piece of history will be lost from the quaint community airport.

"I think it would add to the ambiance of the airport," she said.

The Auburn city manager says one option is to dismantle the hangar and resurrect it as a museum offsite, but private donations would have to fund the effort.