OPINION: Airport benefits very few people
Never have so many given so much to so few for so little. That’s the Kalispell City Airport!
We have 71 acres of land benefiting about 70 individuals. Airports belong in the city of Kalispell about as much as a railroad track.
If the city fathers would evaluate the airport with the same criteria as the railroad, that airport would be gone, and some real economic development and some real tax base could be established.
I stood outside Albertsons a couple of years ago, and 95 percent of the people I asked said no to an airport in the city. I also got pages of signed petitions to that effect.
All of the evidence presented by the Kalispell City Airport and their affiliates, i.e. airport architects, airport designers, pilots etc., were all biased and prejudiced for the airport and its expansion.
I would suggest any objective study would show beyond a doubt that an airport is far from the best use of this property.
What to do — how about a sports complex, with commercial development, along with some more housing? That’s a gold mine of 71 acres that the city is squandering.
The city could also look down the road for a place to build schools.
That land would be prime for infill. I’m paying about $2,875 in property taxes on approximately one-half acre with house and garage.
Rough math is 71 acres equals 142 lots at $2,875 each equals $2,875,142 per year. That’s how much we’re donating to keep that property and airport so 70 people can play with their airplanes.
Airplane ownership is not growing and personal airplane production has been retreating for decades.
Lastly, there are over 12 private airports — most with plenty of room for more airplanes in the valley. Plus there’s Glacier Park International Airport, and they have room for a bunch of planes in hangars or on the asphalt.
In the end I hope the city fathers do the best thing for everybody and not just 60 to 80 people that benefit from the airport currently.
I’m a lifelong resident of Kalispell and proud of it. Also, Glacier Park International Airport charges $20 to $40 a month to park planes.
Lenon writes from Kalispell.