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If he is in a position to tap into a likely investor for airport privatiztion, he may well turn to Tom Dean.
What to do with Jet Blue and the rest?
Simple: Construct a world-class international airport, off shore, between Catalina and the Port of Long Beach. A facility like several already in existence in Japan would solve many challenges for us such as noise, pollution, safety and income. Creating such a facility would allow us to increase national and international flights to and from Long Beach as well as travel and tourism exposure and income rather than see these constantly restricted and limited due to the landlocked and necessarily strictly-controlled current facility.
All jet aircraft should go offshore. Our neighborhoods would become quieter and cleaner and much, much safer.
As charming as it is, the “box” containing our current historic airport is just too small. It’s high time to start thinking outside of it!
Such an airport would accept all sorts of aircraft...fixed wing, rotary wing and dirigible, just as our current airport does.
Who would pay for this "Popular Science" airport?
There are many funding options for such a facility. Local public/private investments could receive State and Federal grants, tax credits and matching funds.
If Long Beach would, for once, simply get it's fiscal house in order, we would have budget surpluses (rather than persistent deficits) that could jump start such construction.
Once built, such an international airport would quickly begin to pay for itself and, I believe, could easily pay off its own construction costs within, at most, a decade.
This isn't just a "Popular Science" idea, middlebrow. It's a real-world solution to several dilemmas currently facing Long Beach and, indeed, the region.
I would encourage everyone to look deeper, see farther and, instead of always asking "why?" trying "why not?" on for size. Instead of seeing only insurmountable obstacles, let’s start seeing challenges just begging to be overcome if, just once, we would remember how a truly great, innovative and resourceful people we can be.
Just once.
Your idea would not have the support of airlines who don't have the financial wherewithal to support this "fantasy." Don't throw a Japanese business model into the mix - it doesn't fly here.
Not to mention the environmental havoc this plan would create.
Wake up John!
I'll keep arguing for our potential and looking for ways to challenge our society to continue to imagine, to achieve and succeed.
At the end of the day, or of the millenium, whether on this topic or in any other area of public policy and human endeavor, we'll see which approach ultimately proves the more successful.
Thanks very much for your input!
"Expansion" is HUSH2 code for any change at the airport.
Like changing it so that the city could keep its' promise to the airlines about the inadequate facilities. Like changing it so that passengers can get something decent to eat at the airport or to take along on their flight. Ot, like changing the city airport so that it's own gate holding room wouldn't violate the city capacity rating.
NOBODY wants to expand the airport. People that use the airport and work at the airport though could use a reasonable facility. That wont expand the airport.
Using the word expansion makes me think that you are using HUSH2 talking points and against being reasonable.
And by the way... how could privatizing make it any worse. It's not like the city has run it well to this point.