Reaction mixed to airport project

Commentary on a $1.9 million Kalispell City Airport improvement project was passionate - but mixed - at a Monday night public hearing that lasted two hours.

The council will vote on the bonds at a later date.

The $1.9 million would pay for purchasing land, constructing a ramp and taxiways, installing utilities and an automatic vehicle security gate, and putting in an internal access road as part of the planned improvement and expansion at the airport, located behind Rosauer's grocery store.

The bond also would cover acquiring land from Red Eagle Aviation and improving that land.

The Federal Aviation Administration will reimburse Kalispell for 95 percent of many of the city's costs, said Fred Leistiko, the city airport manager.

But Lex Blood, a Kalispell resident, said, "We have to ask ourselves, 'Is an airport the highest and best use (of this land)?'"

He urged the council to evaluate alternative uses for the land.

That sentiment was reiterated by numerous other city residents. People also urged the council to use the land to benefit all city residents, not just the comparatively small aviation community.

That community, however, put in its own equally vocal showing.

"Aviation is important to Kalispell," one longtime pilot said. "Always has been, always will be."

Rod Bitney and other pilots told the council the community has much heritage invested in the airport. Perry Brown of Columbia Falls said that like many other pilots in the area, he uses the airport and also thinks it's valuable for youths to be exposed to general aviation.

"It's hard for me to understand why this growing valley would not want to improve the airport," said Don Herbert, a flight instructor at the airport.

But several members of the public had plenty of answers for that.

Some people mentioned safety as a concern. People said the airport is too close to residential and commercial buildings in the area and should be located farther away from development.

"This airport is essentially in an urban setting," John Hinchey said.

Hinchey also said he worries about the increased noise the project would create as more pilots used the airport.

Opponents and proponents pitted points and counterpoints against each other's arguments as the public hearing wore on.

For instance, opponents said the land is an asset that could be better used as open space or for a community center. Proponents said the airport is an asset right now and will be even more valuable once it's improved.

Naysayers told the council the airport won't generate much revenue for the city. Pilots and several business owners reported that on the contrary, the improved airport would have a favorable economic impact.

The council, however, didn't discuss the airport after the hearing closed. The matter is not yet scheduled for a vote.

Reporter Camden Easterling can be reached at 758-4429 or by e-mail at ceasterling@dailyinterlake.com