Airport Construction and Groundbreaking Set for April 12th
by Ashley Murphy

Friday, March 19, 2010

The Cleveland Municipal Airport Authority held their regular monthly meeting on Friday March 19, 2010 at the Cleveland Municipal Building.

Mark Paslick and Tony Manci of PDC Consultants were in attendance to give updates on issues surrounding the airports. Manci stated that he has consulted with the contractor regarding Phase I of the process and the contractor hopes to start on April 12th, weather permitting. If rains move in and keep up, this construction start date could be pushed back.

The projected start date is also the day that the official ground breaking ceremony will take place. Details of the arrangement are Monday, April 12, 2010 at 11 a.m. and the ceremony will take place at the site of the new airport.

An announcement was made that a local public hearing will be held on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 4 p.m. in the Cleveland Municipal Building during the regular meeting of the Cleveland City Council. This will be to hear public comments regarding airport zoning and the zoning map for the new site.

Barbara Gilbert, a resident in the Tasso area, wished to address the CMAA with her thoughts on this whole ordeal. Gilbert stated that most everyone in the Tasso area who will be affected by this airport is concerned with the noisy, dirty, congested flow of traffic. They see a threat to their creeks and water supply though heavy loads of sediment runoff. They see a large tax bill that will be put upon the taxpayers to pay for the 10% of an estimated $50 million project. They also see great concern over the value of their land, their loss of air rights and the quality of life in the vicinity of the airport.

Gilbert went on to "reiterate that never has the opposition been against the building of an airport, if it has been determined a new, larger airport is needed. Opposition has always been 1) the choice of the site; 2) and the arrogance of its process; and 3) never allowing the people a vote on something so intrusive and disruptive in their lives.

The CMAA then promptly thanked her for her comments and adjourned the meeting.

The Cleveland Municipal Airport Authority will hold their next meeting on April 16, 2010 in the City Council Room of the Cleveland Municipal Building. However, this is subject to change depending on the Environmental Permitting Appeal hearing that is to be held in Nashville.