Gwinnett County commissioners have decided to walk away for now from plans to host metro Atlanta’s second commercial passenger airport and instead will try to keep Briscoe Field as it is: A small airport serving corporate jets and other small aircraft.
The Board of Commissioners Tuesday voted unanimously to start from scratch as they try to privatize Briscoe Field. But they did not explicitly rule out the possibility of commercial flights at the airport near Lawrenceville, and that left some area residents unsatisfied.
“They need to say we are not going to commercialize,” said Lawrence Yates of Lawrenceville, who attended Tuesday’s meeting. “Until that’s said, there’s always a danger.”
In 2009 Gwinnett announced it would consider selling or leasing the airport to generate revenue and spark economic development. Last year it asked interested firms to submit documents showing they were qualified to run the airport.
Though Gwinnett did not seek specific proposals from the three firms that responded, one of them – New York-based Propeller Investments – said it wanted to launch commercial flights on jets seating up to 140 people. The largest passenger jets that use the airport now seat 19 passengers.
The prospect of commercial flights divided residents of metro Atlanta’s second-largest county. Supporters said they would create jobs and provide metro residents with an alternative to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Opponents said an airport expansion would lead to more noise and lower property values.
The debate sparked several public protests and some heated exchanges among commissioners, who also were divided.
As the rancor escalated, consultant Infrastructure Management Group Inc. recommended commissioners set aside the issue of commercial flights. Instead, consultants said Gwinnett should seek federal approval to privatize the airport as it is – a general aviation facility serving small aircraft. The move doesn't guarantee there will never be commercial flights at Briscoe Field, but it makes the prospect less likely in the near future.
Commissioners embraced the recommendation. On Tuesday they formally rejected the documents submitted by the three firms that already have expressed interest. Now Gwinnett plans to seek proposals from firms willing operate Briscoe Field as a general aviation airport.
The consultant recommended allowing firms that submit proposals to share their long-term vision for Briscoe Field – visions that could include commercial flights. Gwinnett officials would have the ultimate say about whether to pursue passenger service.
Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Nash, who opposes commercial flights, declined to characterize the vote as a victory.
“This is more about, let’s try to do this in the right manner, rather than winning or losing,” she said.
Commissioner Mike Beaudreau said the latest vote gives him what he wanted all along: a chance to move forward on privatization without ruling out passenger service. And Mike Royal of Fly Gwinnett Forward – a group that wants to explore commercial flights – said he was encouraged by Tuesday’s vote.
On Tuesday commissioners also created a citizen committee to advise them on privatizing Briscoe Field. And they voted to spend nearly $43,000 to get professional advice from consultant IMG as they evaluate proposals and navigate the Federal Aviation Administration’s privatization process.
About the Author
