Voting “yes” to approve airport funding is problematical. Building a new terminal, extending the runway and developing additional parking sounds good, at least in the short term. What town refuses such development that will bring in more tourists and people to live?
Economic growth is necessary, but growth must be balanced with short- and long-term affordability, livability and sustainability.
Most important, I am not convinced that county and city officials and airport spokespeople have thought deeply about, planned for and communicated the long-term consequences and solutions to those consequences of a new airport.
Where is the evaluation of our infrastructure to determine sufficiency and future needs required to handle more people coming to Durango in the next 10 to 20 years? How will potentially doubling the number of passengers in the next 20 years (from the consultant’s report) affect future traffic, parking, affordable housing, good jobs, water and sewage and other issues? How will the increased taxes for the airport improvements, roads, schools and whatever is next on our city and county officials’ agenda (water treatment plant, new city office buildings, new cultural center) affect one’s ability to live here (unless they are wealthy) short term and long term?
I’m glad that La Plata County has the fourth lowest real estate taxes, but couple real estate taxes with Colorado’s income tax and our sales tax and we pay a lot, and many find living here becoming more difficult.
City, county and economic development officials need to do a better job of long-term planning, prioritizing needs versus wants, and balancing economic growth and quality of life.
Airlines are not going to quit providing service if demand exists, nor will they eliminate their 50-passenger aircraft because too many airports can’t handle the bigger planes. Jobs will not go away if the new terminal is not built.
Road improvements are critical. Education is critical. A new airport isn’t a critical need for sustaining quality of life in Durango and La Plata County.
Michael Todt
Durango
