Lawrenceville officials are poised to send the strongest signal yet that they oppose any plans to bring commercial passenger service to Gwinnett County’s Briscoe Field.
The City Council will consider a resolution Monday opposing the county’s plans to pursue privatizing and expanding the airport northeast of Lawrenceville. The resolution expresses concerns about environmental and other impacts of an airport expansion. It says an expansion is not in the best interest of the city.
“Simply said, expansion of the airport to accommodate commercial passenger service will adversely impact the environment and quality of life for the residents of the city of Lawrenceville,” the resolution states.
Mayor Rex Millsaps said he expects the resolution to pass unanimously.
The resolution is the latest indication that Gwinnett will face significant opposition -- at least in Lawrenceville -- to any proposal to expand the airport.
Last week the county issued a “request for qualification” soliciting private firms interested in buying or leasing the airport. The firms have until Aug. 16 to submit financial and other qualifications to the county.
An indication of how many firms are interested could come later this month; on July 26 the county will host a conference for interested parties.
From the list of qualified companies, the county plans to select a short list of firms to submit specific proposals for privatizing Briscoe Field. The county plans to select a firm by the end of the year.
The request for qualifications cites several possible benefits from privatizing the airport and bringing in commercial passenger service. Among them: improved airport financial performance and enhanced regional economic activity.
The request also contemplates making Briscoe Field a “secondary commercial airport in the metropolitan Atlanta region.” That could provide more travel options to people who want to avoid Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
That’s exactly the scenario many in Lawrenceville fear. They say expanded commercial service could increase traffic and noise, decrease property values and diminish the quality of life of area residents.
Millsaps said he’s been encouraging Lawrenceville residents to let the county know how they feel.
County officials say there will be plenty of opportunity for public input. They say they have not yet decided that privatizing or expanding Briscoe Field is a good idea.
In a recent interview, County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister likened the process to a 48-foot extension ladder.
“We’re still standing on the bottom rung,” Bannister said.
That’s not necessarily comforting for Lawrenceville residents.
“Everybody has a big question in their mind: What’s going on?” said City Councilman Mike Crow. “It’s kind of like waiting for some test results from your doctor. Sometimes the speculation is as terrible as the disease.”
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