Outside Erie

6 Responses to “Will Erie Airport Ever Get a New Runway?”

1. George Vietze
   March 25th, 2008 at 7:42 am

   The problem of not having the type of airport facility for this area is sufficiently important to the progress of the area that an improved facility is a mandate. The politicians know how important an up-dated airport is to the future of the entire area. Nothing goes in a straight line, either up or down, but the conclusion is a certainty…we will have an up-dated airport. It may be an entirely new facility in an entirely new area, it may be an expansion of the current facility but the train has left the station. The city, the county, the convention center, the casino/racetrack, companies in this area and companies looking to move here, residents moving and traveling in and out of this area. It is a done deal, either get on the train and move forward or get off the train and let the people who want to move forward finish the job, but the job will be finished and soon.
   This town is not the same town that was controlled by any one group, this town is on the move! Get on the train or miss out. (I did not say it would not be a bumpy ride…so HOLD ON.)

2. anonymous
   March 25th, 2008 at 7:56 am

   “This town is not the same town that was controlled by any one group” You’re right but… It is now managed by the lawyers and accountants and they don’t want anyone else in their group. Mayor - a lawyer, Chairman of Erie Regional Chamber - an accountant.

3. Joe Erie
   March 25th, 2008 at 9:01 am

   I say let the bickering continue and delay the current runway extension project until the funds are gone and the project is shelved.

   I am actually totally opposed to a runway extension at the airport’s current location. It is an entirely outdated, unsuitable, and inaccessible location. If the Erie region is truly serious about having an international airport that plays a key role in the economic future of the area, then this airport must be located in a more accessible and expansive place; south of the city near the I-90/I-79 interchange would be far more ideal. It offers direct interstate access, more than adequate room for operations (no ridiculous squabbling over a stupid golf course or about having to close a road), and the nearby infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, attractions, etc.) for the business traveler. Without adequate highway access to the airport, the airport will remain the same extremely low-volume, turboprop airstrip that it is now (only with a longer runway, possibly). Efforts to develop ERI as an international cargo hub and logistics center in its current location out on W 12th St. are laughable.

   INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS REQUIRE HIGHWAY ACCESS. (Especially ones that aspire to be international cargo hubs)

4. Jim
   March 26th, 2008 at 5:59 am

   “Crucial decision”? In whose eyes?

   The FAA has indicated what they believe is necessary, and more important what they will participate in funding. We know better? Okay, where are the commitments that define the total project as being “crucial”? Answer, there aren’t any!

   So in fact, this is yet another example of public dollars being proposed to fund something wanted (by the city) but not proven as needed. Yet another build it and they will come spending spree, so common in Erie.

   So the city believes they should dictate the terms of someone giving them money, and drag their feet on providing even minority representation to the funders on the authority board. So where am I wrong in thinking they want all the control, they can have all of the bills? No one has shown me where spending county money will benefit me. They have shown me where it benefits the city, in paying off a previous bill they couldn’t afford. Funny that it took access to the gaming revenue to produce movement on this issue. Makes me think that the city attempt at a cash grab is a higher priority to them than the runway, which as there are no commitments in place for the freight portion, makes sense.

   Earll is right. The asset needs to be taken away from city control. First!

5. Shane Carlson
   March 27th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

   Ready access to the region is absolutely essential to growth.

   Erie was a town that grew as a result of ready access from the original mass transportation systems (Ship, then Rail), but has sorely lacked in responding to building an airport sufficient to support the area.

   Many will argue that the proximity of 3 other somewhat major airports within 2 hours are sufficient, but the reality is that an accessible airport that can offer low cost fares and direct routes from major and regional carriers will greatly contribute to potential of the area. Of course, it is a chicken and egg situation, but one thing is certain, if the runway is never built, the opportunity will never exist.

   The USA Today ran an article yesterday that touched on the growth of smaller airports, and the impacts that they have had in their regions.

   As a person who dreads making travel plans to Erie when i need to visit home, I can tell you that cheaper fairs, and less driving in from Cleveland and Pittsburgh would bring me home more often.

6. George Vietze
   April 9th, 2008 at 7:12 am

   The Erie County Council has deleted the requirement that the lawsuit involving the use of gambling funds be resolved as a condition of commiting funds necessary for the runway extension agreement. The FAA required that a non-contingent commitment from the County for the Counties share of the funds is necessary before the FAA will commit its share of runway funds and approve the funding agreement.

   The Airport Authority and the City of Erie’s agreement is necessary, the Airport Authority next scheduled meeting is April 22 and the City Council’s next scheduled meeting is April 16. IT IS IMPERITIVE THAT THE CITY AND THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY RESOLVE THEIR PART OF THE AGREEMENT AND COME TO A FINAL AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY.

   From April 15 to April 23 we have the upcoming election media and the international and national media covering the GE Shareholders meeting. The business community, investors, residents and the WORLD will be looking at Erie
   with a NEW LOOK. One of the major areas of concern is the ability to easily access Erie both with private and commercial airlines. If this area is able to show evidence of a FIRM AGREEMENT to fund, at least a new runway, it will be a major step towards investors and business investors looking seriously at future investment
   in Erie.

   It is already becoming more obvious that the State of Pennsylvania has chosen Erie as a major regional hub energized by the new Casino/Racetrack generating millions of dollars every week. The racetrack has been voted the 2007 Racino of the YEAR….NATIONALLY…NOT JUST HERE.
   The over $400,000 A RACING DAY….EVERY RACING DAY…
   THEY ONLY RACED ONE MONTH IN 2007. 2008 WILL RACE FROM MAY THROUGH SEPT OF 2008, OUR FIRST FULL RACING SEASON.
   These purses are equal to Del Mar, Santa Anita, Saratoga,
   Churchill Downs and will attract major horses, trainers and jockeys. Because of the money incentive to race PENNSLYVANIA BRED HORSES and the NEW REQUIREMENT TO BE IN PA AT LEAST FIVE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, new farms will locate over time in the Erie area.

   The new downtown redevelopment program is in full gear and Harrisburg, unlike the past, is ready and willing to support this development, an example of this is the Governors support of over $40million dollars to re-do the Tullio Center. Timing is critical because political insiders know that OHIO who contributes a major percentage of gambling revenue to the Erie casino most likely, because of the current conservative religous factions, will not approve gambling for approximately five years. Pennsylvania has that window of opportunity to approve FULL GAMING. Erie has the beaches, attractions, 5000 hotel rooms, Convention Center and the BAYFRONT DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to become a major hub for this income potential, don’t foreget the State receives 55% of all gambling income. Erie’s share will go a long way towards improving QUALITY GROWTH.

   Hopefully GE and other manufacturing companies will view this area as a great place to raise a family and visit
   and more employment will also follow.

   This is not pie-in-the-sky anymore, the cards are dealt,
   the train has left the station….this Great City on a Great Lake is on the MOVE! As others have said, “Miss it and Miss Out!……