History of Solberg Airport

1932: Thor Solberg's first attempt to fly to Norway ends in a crash on August 25th near Harbour Grace, Newfoundland

1935: July 18-August 16: Thor Solberg flies from NY to Norway in a Loenig C-2-C 2PCAB. Read more

1939: Solberg-Hunterdon Airport founded.

1941: July, Solberg Airport opens

1942-5: Thor Solberg trains thousands of US servicement to fly

1960: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey starts looking for site for the region's 4th major jetport. Solberg Airport and the Great Swamp are candidates for a 12,000 foot runway

1965: Port Authority eliminates other candidates for expansion and select Solberg for expansion. The FAA and Airlines support the Port Authority.

1967: Hunterdon-Somerset Jetport Association organizes a 1000 person protest against Solberg expansion in Trenton in April. They convinced Gov Hughes to block the Port Authority's expansion plan.

1969: Hunterdon-Somerset Jetport Association organizes a 1500 person protest against Solberg expansion in Trenton in April. They convinced Gov candidate William Cahill to promise to block the Port Authority. He won the election and nixed the project.

1987: Solberg Aiport appears before Planning Board with plans to extend the paved runway from 1800 feet to 3735 feet along with installing a navigational system.

1989: Linden wants to close its airport and send traffic to Solberg Airport. Readington objects and threatens eminient domain. FAA approves deal in 1990, but the Mayor of Linden is defeated in the primary. The deal falls apart.Click here for more.

1990: Solberg Airport was working on the paving expansion of the main runway to 3735 feet. Readington residents opposed the expansion. The FAA declared Solberg as a reliever airport, but later the runway expansion from 1800 ft was stopped at 3000 ft of paved surface.

1996: March: 2nd of two racous hearings at the Township about Solberg expansion plans. The Solbergs deny expansion plans.

1997: September Solberg Master plan published (expansion to 4890 feet)

1999:
FAA approves Solberg Expansion plan to 4890 ft
NJ DOT notifies Readington of FAA and NJ DOT review of Solberg Master Plan and that an Environmental Study will begin. Click here to read the letter.


2000:
November 11: 1st Environmental Assessment Study Advisory Committee (5th document in PDF)
December: Newsletter announcing first public meeting(4th document in PDF)


2001:
January: 1st Public Environmental Assessment Study (3rd document in PDF)
June: 2nd Environmental Assessment Study Advisory Committee (2nd document in PDF)
September: Study Advisory Committee meeting (for Solberg Environmental Assessment) (1st document in PDF)


2002:
April: State of NJ and Solbergs sign an agreement to purchase Solberg Airport for up to $22 million. The sale is to be completed in 180 days (October) Read the contract
August: Pre-draft of Environmental Assessment Study is published.
October: State issues 150 day extension (to March 11th) for the Solbergs to secure a third appraisal of the airport
2003:
March: State issues a 60 day extension for Solbergs to complete the third appraisal. Deadline now approx June 11th
August: Pre-Draft of Environmental Assessment is published
December: State exetends contract another 6 months to June 30, 2004

2004:
December: Talks between Solbergs and State of New Jersey collapse and offer is withdrawn.


2005:
May: State of New Jersey askes Readington Township to take lead in future attempts to preserve Solberg Airport
August 1: Readington Township introduces a $22 million bond ordinance for purchasing Solberg Airport.
August 15: 1st Public comments meeting on bond ordinance
August 20: Mayor Frank Gatti starts talks with Solbergs
August 22: 2nd Public comments meeting on bond ordinance. Transcript Township withdraws bond ordinance
August 29: Letter to Town: Letter from Mayor Frank Gatti
September 8: First negotiating meeting, Find common ground
September 22: 2nd negotiating meeting, Solberg proposal
October 14: 3rd negotiating meeting, General Discussion
December 4: 4th negotiating meeting, Township proposal
December 17: 5th negotiating meeting, Solberg counter proposal


2006:
January 2: 5th negotiating meeting, Township counter proposals. Talks fail.
January 17: Public information meeting.
January 27: Mayor Shamey sends a letter to the Township residends along with a map of the safety zone.
February 6: Township Committee introduces a $22 million bond ordinance for preservation of the airport.
February 14: Mayor Shamey sends a letter to the Township residents about the status of the Solberg Airport issue
February 21: A public hearing on the $22 million bond ordinance is held at Holland Brook School. Click here to read the transcript of the meeting. The ordinance passes 5-0.