|
After a couple of false starts, and a change of top management,
Boeing Field has now completed a conceptual update of its
Master Plan.
The present version is very close
to a status-quo plan, with little or no increase in traffic
predicted, & no
proposals for physical expansion of the 594-acre site.
The existing mix of tenants, and the existing mix of user
aircraft, are expected to remain the same. The draft document
assumes no increase in "capacity" & only
modest increase in operations. Study of possibly building
a hush-house is to begin this Fall.
The plan does continue to include
the controversial proposal to reconfigure the main, 10,000-foot
runway. Under the
proposal, the south 880 feet of the runway would be placed "off
bounds", becoming a Runway Safety Area, and the northern
end of the runway would extend another 880 feet to the
north (very close to existing residential areas in Georgetown).
However, only a few very large planes would be allowed
to use the extension, & then only after advance notice
(probably 24 hours), & clearance from the Airport, & with
landing lights switched off.
The local FAA has reviewed some
of the draft materials, the County Council has been briefed
on the concept, & an
environmental impact statement has been drafted, which
the Airport feels it cannot release. However, according
to Gary Molyneaux, BFI's Manager for Planning and Program
Development, the FAA has requested that the Terminal Area
Forecast (describing predicted future air travel) be updated.
The new forecast, he says, will better reflect the operational
characteristics of the airport, and the existing draft
EIS will need to be revised before being released for public
comment.
The Powerpoint
(R) presentation (converted to a webpage) seen by the
Council can be viewed at the link above.
|
|
