Long-Term Vision for Pitkin County Airport Unveiled

February 12, 2004

Long-Term Vision for Airport Unveiled
Aspen Times, CO

The director of the Pitkin County airport and members
of the business community were in agreement Wednesday
that expanding the runway is a crucial component of
the facility’s 20-year master plan.

The recommendations of the master plan, which was
unveiled at yesterday’s meeting, include a runway
extension to improve airline safety and draw more
carriers and a new concourse to relieve congestion at
security points. The plan also recommends using a
portion of land on the airport’s west side for
possible aviation development.

An advisory committee comprised of local business
people, citizens and county and city officials spent
five months drafting the plan.

At Wednesday’s meeting, airport director Jim Elwood
explained the impact that the master plan would have
on tourism, sight and noise pollution, and passenger
safety.

He argued that increased capacity at the airport would
boost tourism by attracting carriers from around the
United States. The runway expansion would make it
safer for planes to land and take off, he said, and
therefore would hopefully attract other airlines to
the area.

Elwood tried to dispel the notion that the runway
expansion would mean larger, louder planes flying in
and out.

He displayed computer models predicting noise levels
will be safely below federal guidelines in surrounding
neighborhoods. Noise pollution has particularly
concerned residents of the North 40, a subdivision
adjacent to the airport.

Hana Pevny, Aspen Chamber Resort Association
president, said ACRA’s member businesses strongly
support the proposed master plan.

“We’ve asked our membership about that in recent
surveys, and from a business standpoint, ACRA supports
the master plan for the long-term sustainability of
the community as a tourist destination,” Pevny said.

Regarding another of the plan’s goals, Elwood said
expanding the terminal would make working conditions
for airport staff much safer and less cramped.

No taxpayer money would go into the project, he added,
since federal monies and an airport user fee will fund
the master plan.

“I thought it was a very positive meeting. I’ve been
here for 20 years, so obviously it’s a concern to me
to be looking at the next 20 years as well,” said Beth
Hagerty, general manager of the Aspen Mountain Lodge.
“In terms of our guests, it’s always been somewhat
difficult getting in and out of Aspen, and pricey. So
I think that any competition would benefit the
travelers.”

Hagerty sat through the presentation Wednesday morning
and said she also liked learning that local taxpayer
dollars won’t be used. “That’s obviously a bonus for
the residents of Aspen,” she said.

Throughout the presentation, Elwood emphasized that
the master plan is only a provisional sketch and, if
adopted, would require approval at almost every stage
of implementation. He also urged the public to get
involved in the coming weeks. The master plan goes
before the Pitkin County Planning and Zoning board on
Feb. 12, with a second reading on March 2.

"This is the time to get involved,” Elwood said. We’re
going to get what we are going to get in the next 60
days. If you are concerned, or if you have strong
feelings either way, now is the time to write e-mails
to the P & Z board.”

A copy of the master plan will be posted on the
airport’s Web site, www.aspenairport.com, within the
next week.


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dc/dcboard.php

*****************************************