Barrow airport on list of possible new sites

Posted by

in Top Stories & Breaking News

Friday, June 10. 2011

Comments (30)

Although the Barrow County Airport made the list of eight top potential sites for a second Atlanta airport, a study release last month concluded that for now, none of the sites is cost feasible.

Barrow was on the list of potential sites along with Dobbins AFB, Gwinnett County Airport, Dawson/Forsyth, Cherokee County, Cobb County, Paulding County and Cartersville airports.

The strengths of the Barrow site were said to be good airspace distance, environmental issues and costs. But Barrow ranked low on the potential number of passengers and market feasibility.

Dobbins AFB had the highest potential market and the lowest cost.

No action is expected to come from the study.

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

#1 Victor on 06/10/11 at 04:29 PM [Reply]

That would be awesome...

#1.1 Anonymous on 06/10/11 at 05:34 PM [Reply]

I take it, you didn't live here a few years back. Why there are still No Airport Expansion sign around.

#1.1.1 Victor on 06/10/11 at 07:26 PM [Reply]

I've lived here for seventeen years, within two miles of the airport. I know exactly what I'm talking about, and I know the value that having a good aviation industry adds to the economy. WDR has been in existence for more than 66 years, so I'm willing to bet it was probably there when you moved in as well.

#1.1.1.1 Robert M on 06/10/11 at 08:09 PM [Reply]

I have lived here all my life Victor and I will fight you every step of the way with every dollar I have to block anything that will make this airport any bigger. And I believe if you attended any anti-airport meetings in the past you would have seen others that will too!! Just think why Danny got voted in. I believe we showed last time what the community can do when they get mad and come together. And Victor I live in one of the subdivision within 1/2 mile of the airport. You want a fight just get this crap started again.

#1.1.1.1.1 Johnson D. on 06/11/11 at 12:06 AM [Reply]

I would trade an expanded airport for Danny Yearwood anyday.

#1.2 Anonymous on 06/10/11 at 07:03 PM [Reply]

Yes ask the past BOE Chairman why he was voted out?

#1.3 Anonymous on 06/11/11 at 06:57 AM [Reply]

I agree with you that it would be nice to have a regional airport that commuter planes could fly out of, BUT, and this is a VERY IMPORTANT BUT, the majority of the citizens of Barrow County don't want it.

Would it improve the economy - it would help, however Barrow is within easy commuting distance to two (not 1 but 2) regional airports that already offer commuter flights.

It is not feasible. It's money the taxpayers don't want to spend. The county quite frankly should privatize the airport and get it off the county books.

It's nothing more than a party house for a set of men with the peter pan syndrome!

#2 Andrew Sarge on 06/11/11 at 08:03 AM [Reply]

The guys who led the No expansion fight a few years ago COMPLETElY mis-represented what was possible with the airport expansion plan as proposed. The complete implementation of that plan would NOT repeat NOT have allowed for schedules passenger service to the airport without a special waiver that is only given to small communities with no service close. Nor would it have allowed 737 Cargo jets. I majored in Aviation Admin in college and we did a stufy of where a reliever airport for Atlanta would be needed. Winder, Athens and NE Georgia was not considered likely 30 years ago and that has not changed. It would've been best then to be along the I-75 Corrider beyond Cobb County.

#2.1 Harry on 06/11/11 at 08:31 AM [Reply]

Give them one inch they would have taken a yard. Smoke and mirrow for the pro airport people. You lie just as much as the anti-airport people did. Open the door and we would be just like ATL airport.

#2.1.1 r on 06/11/11 at 07:30 PM [Reply]

"You lie..." Just what in his statements was a lie? C'mon, point it out. What was it?

The fact of the matter is the anti-airport crowd totally misrepresented the truth, then went so far as to get Yearwood elected.

Seems to me the radical fringe of anti-airport extremists got their wish. Elect Yearwood.

#2.1.1.1 Ben on 06/12/11 at 06:19 PM [Reply]

Hurt don't it r? You lost.

#2.1.1.1.1 r on 06/12/11 at 08:24 PM [Reply]

No. Actually the people of Barrow County lost.

Think about it.

#2.1.1.1.1.1 Ben on 06/13/11 at 05:46 PM [Reply]

Again YOU LOST r!!!

#2.1.1.2 CCBC on 06/13/11 at 11:16 AM [Reply]

I was actively involved in the fight against the airport expansion and disagree with your assertion that we "misrepresented the truth".

Can you cite specific examples? All of the information presented during meetings and on the website were ALL sourced and available for review by everyone, both pro and anti-expansion folks alike. We realized our credibility would be shredded had we "made up" or "misrepresented" anything, and thus we went to great lengths to ensure the information presented was verified by at least one source.

You state: "The complete implementation of that plan would NOT repeat NOT have allowed for schedules passenger service to the airport without a special waiver that is only given to small communities with no service close", and that may be factual that a waiver is required.

However, this did not seem to be a concern to former Airport Director Tim Whitman. On the "Business Development" section of the airport website (since changed but I'm looking at the original HTML page now)it reads, verbatim:

"Once the ILS is installed, Whitman expects even more people will begin to realize WDR's potential as an economic asset for the county. With a focus on providing a high level of service, the airport's next step might BE ADDING COMMERCIAL SERVICE via one of the smaller airline carriers. "There's NO REASON TO THINK IT WON'T HAPPEN," says Whitman. "Look around and you see that more business are locating here, not only because of growth that's headed up the 316 corridor, but because we have a nice airport that's extremely accessible to a variety of aircraft"

If the airport director, a man whose entire career is aviation, states on the official county airport forum "there is no reason to think it won't happen", what's Joe Citizen supposed to think?

As with any issue, people may draw different conclusions based on the same data. We see it all the time in Washington, DC with the Dems and Repubs whenever new economic data is released. But your assertion the airport group either "made up" or misrespresented facts is simply not accurate.

#2.1.1.2.1 Andrew Sarge on 06/13/11 at 10:19 PM [Reply]

I doubt you "made up" anything. But right off in the presentation that day, a picture of an older vesrion of the 737 was listed and it was stated that aircraft of that type could fly out of the expanded airport with a 7500 ft runway. First off that plane is an earlier version of the 737 that is no longer flying commercially in the US. The modern versions are larger and of a much larger weight are in service and the expanded runways would have to be widened to at least 150ft and weight rating dramatically increased. If I recall the original pland did not call for wideniong and I don't think increasing the allowable weight was involved. Also, in order for non-scheduled service airport to get a commercial airline rating to handle full size commercial jets, they must have a minimum 1000 ft. overrun off any runway rated for the aircraft and runway 13 will not have that. None of this was discussed and when i tried to bring that up at the table where the petitions were signed, I could not even get an audience. I will give you that smaller regional jets could utilize the airport's 7500 x 100 ft runway in specific circumstances, but none of those apply here. The economics have changed dramtaically and it would be almost impossible to have an existing North Georgia airport re-built for Commercial airline service and have enough flights and passengers to ever make a profit. Atlanta and North Georgia's best option is more service to Greenville SC and Chattanooga in the North and Macon to the south.

I would also like to add that I do appreciate your group bringing the airport expansion to a more public forum. I don't agree with you, but I am no fan of the airport board as it is and I ahve not been convinced that a 7500 foot runway is needed. The best thing to grow Barrow's economy and help out property values recover is too bring better jobs and more educated people to the county and there are better ways too spend the money.

#2.1.1.2.1.1 CCBC on 06/14/11 at 10:38 AM [Reply]

Thanks, Andrew. Fair enough.

#2.1.1.2.2 r on 06/14/11 at 09:08 AM [Reply]

Rumors of Fedex or UPS moving in to do the cargo thing at the airport. The lunatic fringe took over that anti-airport crowd.

I never went to one of those meetings, but the paper covered it well, and word, after all, travels fast.

#3 Another Longtime Citizen on 06/11/11 at 05:19 PM [Reply]

I have to ask this: WHY Would you or anyone move to within 1/2 mile of an AIRPORT if you aren't a fan of aviation. Progress and Growth was and will again continue to grow our area into something much different that it was 30 years ago. Just like roads are were once quiet country roads are many now busy throughfares, look at Gwinnett of the last 30 years. Some former 2 lane roads are now 7 lanes. Things grow and change. I personally Do NOT Want Hartsfield North built here in Winder, but I could see(and we will see)a moderately larger use Airport and we could be a Connector location with limited Passenger Planes to fly to/from Hartsfield and expanded commuter and private jets..It is a airport, the airport, just like road become highways, it will grow and it needs to. BUT I would Oppose "being the Atlanta Airport #2" with constant regular flights along with you.

We need to be a desirable modern airport with about a 7000 ft runway, but we do NOT need to give up the ship, it needs to controlled..(and by us) We never need to give up the Winder Airport to the ARC or any other agency/body.

What Atlanta needs is NOT a 2nd Major Airport but 3-4 Regional connection locations where you can catch one of the 5 daily flights from each of the smaller airports to Atlanta and the MAJOR flight still depart from THERE.

A nice modern airport can make dreams of being a Bio-Science corrador or make us attractive to other major industry and businesses. We need some Quality Growth, those type businesses look at access and other factors.

#3.1 George on 06/12/11 at 05:59 PM [Reply]

Want never happen!! Ain't going to happen. The people trying to sell the idea has lied just as much and the other side has. Geat a grip. As people always proclaim on these sites "if you don't like it then move". Ok there you are ... MOVE!!

#3.2 DuWayne on 06/12/11 at 07:46 PM [Reply]

Maybe everyone who lives in Barrow County doesn’t want it to be the next Gwinnett County. I like the small community. That's why I live here. If I wanted a large community with all the crime and things that goes with it I would move to Gwinnett County.

#3.2.1 Another Longtime Citizen on 06/12/11 at 10:13 PM [Reply]

Yea, I am not one of those who want Barrow County to simply become the next Gwinnett, but I also understand the reality of the situation, I, We can’t stop growth, but we can’t help Shape it.

I would like to think we could become the affluent suburb that Gwinnett once was and some other outer Metro counties are. What I also don’t want us to become the low rent crime district of Metro Atlanta due to lack of proper planning and failure to attract and bring in any high-end economic growth to inject some funds into our local economy. I would rather be Gwinnett than Clayton or DeKalb. Who do you want to attract to Barrow?

I don’t want good people who care about Barrow Co to leave or move but the county we knew, the county we know now will change whether we like it or agree with it, I say we try to make it the best we can.

I am sure the buzz of constant cars & trucks whizzing by through south central Barrow was not what those who grew up and lived along the quiet farmlands envisioned either, 50 cows now 8,000 cars plus a day either.....

I still say people of Winder & Barrow Co should never yield control, either.

#3.2.2 anon on 06/17/11 at 12:11 PM [Reply]

and your opposition has nothing to do with you living close to the airport, right?

#3.2.2.1 DuWayne on 06/17/11 at 08:20 PM [Reply]

Before you run your mouth about something you obliviously do not know anything about do some studying. Back when the airport was being debated there were plans that were on the airports web site (and the county had them too) showing what would happen to Hwy 29 and Hwy 82. They revealed that the DOT had never been contacted to determine what it would cost to move parts of Hwy 29 and Hwy 82. They never called the EPA and had a study about what it would do to the environment. They also had the land plats that showed who bought up all the available land around the airport knowing the airport could grow. Guess what, three of the county BOC had bought land around the airport. They also had a document that showed the new flight and glide patterns for the airport. It showed what towns and communities would be flown over when the plane left the runway. It showed where the flight paths were if the plane went of the runway straight, banked right or banked left.. Danny even brought a copy of them to one of the meetings. He waved them in front of the past BOC Chairman. Bet you wouldn’t find them today. But the map showed all towns and communities would be flown over if the small commuter and cargo planes flew out of this airport. It has nothing to do with where you live, it has to do with what communities are disrupted by the noise, fumes and possibly crashes. Please be informed before you make smart remarks. It makes you look so stupid.

#4 Anonymous on 06/11/11 at 10:25 PM [Reply]

I average flying out of Hartsville about three times a month. I would love to be able to drive out to Winder Airport and catch a small commuter flight to Atlanta and avoid all the Atlanta traffic and parking.

#4.1 Anonymous on 06/12/11 at 06:40 AM [Reply]

My husband flies out of Atlanta EVERY Monday and returns EVERY Friday.

It would be nice to drive about 3 miles to pick him up.

BUT NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

Georgia Sky is a small commuter flight out of Athens to Atlanta.

The only problem? Their service sucks, the personal are rude, and the flights are limited.

#4.1.1 Andrew Sarge on 06/13/11 at 10:38 PM [Reply]

The only reason Georgia Sky is around and Athens even has comnmercial airservice is due to a government subsidy to air carriers to make up for losses flying to small rural aiports. That program is likely to be severely cut or ended by Congress in the next year or two and then Georgia Sky will be gone.

#5 Fortitude on 06/11/11 at 11:34 PM [Reply]

Why would you spend money to fly to Hartsfield, when it is an hour away ? Bring more planes in will not boost the local economy unless you own a car rental, hotel or cheap restaurant nearby. Then they will go to Gwinnett to host their convention. If the airport did go through, Barrow would be treated like a stepchild, all the chores without the allowence

#6 Anonymous on 06/13/11 at 06:59 AM [Reply]

"A nice modern airport can make dreams of being a Bio-Science corrador or make us attractive to other major industry and businesses. We need some Quality Growth, those type businesses look at access and other factors."

Very good point. In order for Barrow property values to recover, we need to bring well paying jobs to Barrow. With fuels prices fluctuating wildly every 2 years people are starting to move in closer to where the work or want to work and more importantly to where they play. The airport helps with that by allowing corporate jets to fly in. A larger airport helps that situation, especially during the summer months when planes need longer takeoff runs. For the record, Brisoce field expansion did not play a significan role in Gwinnett's high power growth. It was the other way around. The other thing to help bring jobs to Barrow would be the Brain Train, but that's a different debate.

#6.1 Jack Legg on 06/13/11 at 09:09 AM [Reply]

I do not think we need an expanded airport. Imm not sure we even need one period. It seems to me that its just always been a hole to send our tax money down so that the rich and the wannabes among us can have a taxpayer funded hobby.Maybe if they made all airplanes to have a muffler on them to where they couldnt be heard and maybe if their exhaust had a cadalitic converter on them so they couldnt be smelled , it would be different.
The taxpayers here do not want an expanded airport, that is not one of the services that I believe we want .
Get a leg up in 2012

#7 TickedOff on 06/17/11 at 10:29 PM [Reply]

This article isn't even newsworthy. Barrow Co. can't get the DOT to do squat in this county. Due to past and present idiots running our county. Fact is one runway is long enough for small commuter aircraft. But... who the heck has a reason to fly into Winder. Ive lived here my whole life and other than a junkyard and concrete pipe plant we aint got squat from having an airport. So much for your economic theory Victor. Make no mistakes, the airport push was about 2 things . Land and Money. The greedy land barons were poised to use an equally greedy former comission and chairman for the fleecing of their little ole pockets. Too bad it costs gazillions to move state highways in a stagnant county. My property borders the airport, if they expanded I'll be in line with my hand out, lawyer in tow, to get some of that excess tax money our commissoners seem to love to throw away. Makes me proud to know Im part owner of a dang cow pasture for 20k an acre. Nice work Doug. The expansion of WDR airport is as likely as well.... Danny boy going to anger management.
By the way, did anyone read the other locations. Do you REALLY think we're in the hunt. Then again given our county's ability to defer taxes, provide every possible aid and get positively nothing in return we may go to the front of the line.

Add Comment

Name
Email
Homepage
In reply to
Comment: E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.
To leave a comment you must approve it via e-mail, which will be sent to your address after submission.

To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.

Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above:
Phone*

What is three plus six?
: Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry
: Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed.

Barrow airport on list of possible new sites

Barrow Journal

Barrow airport on list of possible new sites

Recent Stories

Recent Comments

This Week's Poll

Sister Sites

Archives

Community

Keyword Tags