Horace Williams Airport
Created by the central west steering committee and adopted in November of last year by the town council, the plan deals with the MLK-Estes intersection and surrounding areas in anticipation of upcoming changes, including the eventual development of Carolina North and the potential end of the airport hazard zone. Having attended some of the meetings and being connected to the area I appreciate the work that was done by the steering committee on this project.
As of now the plan can be seen on the town website in the 2020 section.
Received the following from Rep. Price on the airport. Others may have received essentially the same communication, so apologies if this has already appeared elsewhere.
Noted, #1: the overt designation (twice) of the proposed airport as a "general aviation airport" - not a "University airport."
Noted, #2: his disavowal of having any role, even with his
acknowledgment that funding and eminent domain are concerns. And while he does believe that OC board should join UNC and NCGA in the decision process, the outer limit of citizens' role or power should be "input."
Noted, #3: the specific information about funding sources -- indication is that the state legislature actually could/will control funding. Not necessarily news but a clear suggestion about where the action ultimately could/will be - not encouraging for opponents.
Okay, here’s where I’m thinking things stand regarding an
airport anywhere in Orange County, and just for a chuckle, I’ve handicapped the
scenarios as I see them. Note: I do not have insider information from anyone in any form, just conjecture based on history and a large dollop of cynicism.
1. Horace Williams Airport remains open, where it is, for
at least another 7-10 years and likely beyond. REVISED 3/24/11: Odds 95 in 100.
Yesterday the Chapel Hill News reported without questioning a study* saying that the economic benefit of a new airport in Orange County could be four times the impact of the current Horace Williams Airport. Would a new airport be four times as big and have four times the
traffic? Who would want that? And for that matter, who the hell would
use it?
I understand the benefit of the current airport to the University, the hospital, and the state. But I just don't see how having an alternative to Raleigh-Durham benefits the average Orange County resident. Most of us don't have private planes, and when we need to fly, we use the commercial airport. The tax benefit to local government is negligible compared to other possible uses of the land.
I'm just not buying this.
* This figure ($53,000,000) was based on a consultant's study. But they don't say whose consultant. UNC? Orange County? I
have been disappointed to see that County staffers have been speaking
out in support of a new airport. I doubt they are on the same page as
the County Commissioners.
[Long-time lurker, first time poster]
Two paths diverged in the woods and I took the third.
It occurrs to me that there might be another way to meet (or even exceed) AHEC's needs while also preserving land and avoiding a protracted debate and a souring of town-gown relations.
So far the paths being argued are: 1) Build a new airport in the county or 2) Base all operations from RDU. I believe there is a third path that hasn't been considered.
In short, build a heliport. Let that sink in for a minute and then read on for more...
We all know helicopters don't need much space to operate, so this is an easy one. In fact, it could even be sited on the existing Horace Williams airport while still allowing for plenty of space for the new campus.
Drastic reduction in trip time for AHEC physicians. Not only could AHEC potentially keep helicopter or tilt-rotor aircraft at UNC Hospitals, but it could deliver passengers directly to many of the hospitals they service throughout North Carolina instead of landing at their regional or local airports and then driving to their ultimate destination.
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