Gwinnett County is poised to scrap an airport privatization process begun last year and start again -- ruling out for now one company’s proposal to bring commercial flights to the Lawrenceville airport.
On Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners will consider rejecting formal qualifications submitted last year by three firms interested in operating the airport. A proposal by one of those firms to launch commercial flights has divided the community and commissioners.
The managing director of that firm -- New York-based Propeller Investments -- was noncommittal about his next step.
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see what they come out with,” Propeller’s Brett Smith said.
The fate of Briscoe Field has been hotly debated since Gwinnett officials announced two years ago they were considering selling or leasing the airport.
Three firms have expressed interest, submitting documents showing they were qualified to operate the airport. But only one -- Propeller Investments -- has said publicly what it wants to do with Briscoe Field.
Currently Briscoe serves corporate jets and other small aircraft seating up to 19 people. Propeller has said it wants to launch commercial passenger service on jets seating up to 140 passengers.
Supporters say that would create jobs and give area residents an alternative to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. But the proposal has sparked opposition from Lawrenceville-area residents who fear an airport expansion would lead to noise and safety problems. Commissioners are divided over commercial flights.
Consultant Infrastructure Management Group Inc. recently recommended Gwinnett set aside the issue of commercial flights and instead seek new proposals from firms interested in operating Briscoe Field as a general aviation airport that would continue to serve small aircraft. The commission now appears ready to follow that recommendation.
Gwinnett could still decide to convert Briscoe Field to a commercial passenger airport later. IMG recommended allowing firms that submit proposals to share their long-term vision for the airport.
On Tuesday, commissioners also will consider hiring IMG to review new proposals submitted by private companies. And they're scheduled to establish a citizens committee to advise commissioners during the privatization process.
Smith would not say whether Propeller would be interested in operating Briscoe Field as a general aviation airport, but said, “We believe that a privatized general aviation airport is not financially viable.”
Mike Royal of Fly Gwinnett Forward, a group that wants Gwinnett to consider commercial flights, welcomed the commission’s proposed new direction. He said the county needs an “open and honest debate on actual proposals” from private companies.
Jim Regan of Citizens for a Better Gwinnett, which opposes commercial flights, was more cautious. He said he hopes Gwinnett adopts “a very slow, very deliberate, very inclusive” airport privatization process.
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