Closing the Edmonton "City Centre" Airport
The City of Edmonton is taking a serious look at shutting down its "City Centre" airport.
In one report, it noted:
"The City could realize up to $95 million in annual property taxes from completed airport land development. Additional revenue from land sales up to $500 million could be realized, plus additional taxes from buildings in the downtown area that have been prevented from proceeding or are now limited in height due to airport proximity restrictions."
The issues are remarkably similar to ours in Toronto - with one exception:in a referendum in 1995,75% of those voting endorsed moving commercial passenger service to the International Airport - that left only general aviation, small charters, and medevac.
Councillors will debate the issue July 8, after reviewing the information gathered during the consultations.
There's group opposed to the airport with a Facebook site - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=e7284d459f0d7a329c8061095d0ffb5d&gid=25793447056&ref=search - that puts forward some impressive alternative land uses. Their opposition is similar to ours:
"Unfortunately, there exists a cabal of wealthy business types who have risen up to put the kibosh on what's best for our land. Fighting tooth and nail are ex-Oilers chairman Cal Nichols, and industrialist turned-councilor Tony Caterina, and their pals at the AEG, CAANA, and the Kingsway Business Association.
"Their campaign against closure is well financed and organized, but is based on easily refutable arguments, misrepresentation of the facts, and fear mongering.
"They have a right to be heard but at the end of the day, the long term interest and security of the city as whole has to come before any convenience or benefit to the small number of businesses and people who use the airport.
"They will find themselves on the wrong side of history, and the sooner they can realize the competitive economic advantages of fully developing the ML and streamlining air services to other airports - the sooner we can make it a reality."
A series of consultants' reports on the Edmonton City Centre Airport were presented to the City's Executive Committee on June 24, 2009, following an impressive consultation process (see http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/planning_development/city-centre-airport-review-public-consultation.aspx).
A report on land use concludes:
"the redevelopment of the ECCA Lands into a new mixed-use residential and
employment based neighbourhood represents a significant opportunity for the City to achieve
established long term visions regarding sustainable development and a more compact urban form."
Fascinating.
Brian Iler, chair
CommunityAIR
In one report, it noted:
"The City could realize up to $95 million in annual property taxes from completed airport land development. Additional revenue from land sales up to $500 million could be realized, plus additional taxes from buildings in the downtown area that have been prevented from proceeding or are now limited in height due to airport proximity restrictions."
The issues are remarkably similar to ours in Toronto - with one exception:in a referendum in 1995,75% of those voting endorsed moving commercial passenger service to the International Airport - that left only general aviation, small charters, and medevac.
Councillors will debate the issue July 8, after reviewing the information gathered during the consultations.
There's group opposed to the airport with a Facebook site - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=e7284d459f0d7a329c8061095d0ffb5d&gid=25793447056&ref=search - that puts forward some impressive alternative land uses. Their opposition is similar to ours:
"Unfortunately, there exists a cabal of wealthy business types who have risen up to put the kibosh on what's best for our land. Fighting tooth and nail are ex-Oilers chairman Cal Nichols, and industrialist turned-councilor Tony Caterina, and their pals at the AEG, CAANA, and the Kingsway Business Association.
"Their campaign against closure is well financed and organized, but is based on easily refutable arguments, misrepresentation of the facts, and fear mongering.
"They have a right to be heard but at the end of the day, the long term interest and security of the city as whole has to come before any convenience or benefit to the small number of businesses and people who use the airport.
"They will find themselves on the wrong side of history, and the sooner they can realize the competitive economic advantages of fully developing the ML and streamlining air services to other airports - the sooner we can make it a reality."
A series of consultants' reports on the Edmonton City Centre Airport were presented to the City's Executive Committee on June 24, 2009, following an impressive consultation process (see http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/planning_development/city-centre-airport-review-public-consultation.aspx).
A report on land use concludes:
"the redevelopment of the ECCA Lands into a new mixed-use residential and
employment based neighbourhood represents a significant opportunity for the City to achieve
established long term visions regarding sustainable development and a more compact urban form."
Fascinating.
Brian Iler, chair
CommunityAIR
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