RCAA On Line Library--Social Changes

RCAA ON-LINE LIBRARY

Social Changes

Issues in Brief: The EISes for the runway project were weak in analyzing the changes that Airport expansion would produce in the socio-economic make-up of nearby-communities. In March 1997, a supplemental study of potential third-runway impacts was published, resulting in a much clearer picture of predictable social changes, & the reasons why they occur. (The study, commonly referred to as “H-O-K”, was funded with a State grant.) Airport impacts, especially noise, depress property values, & long-term residents often seek to escape by moving far away. Often, their homes cannot be sold for true value, & fall into the rental market, while the owners or heirs wait for a buy-out by the Airport. Renters move in & out, the area is a target for newcomers (usually lower-income, often non-English-speaking). This can become a downward spiral. Severe strain is put on social-service agencies, including the local public schools. Condemnations for expansion, & buy-outs for noise-mitigation, destroy neighborhoods, & rob the community of its base of most-involved citizens. These changes tend to be permanent, for few people choose to move next to a “giant noise generating machine” if they can afford to locate elsewhere. There are no programs in place or proposed that can restore neighborhoods and cities after such impacts. See the Residential Impacts and Impacts on Local Gov’ts for further discussion of the problem of loss of property values, as it affects individuals and local governments.

Documents:

Helmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc., Dallas, Texas, Raytheon Infrastructure Services, Inc., Denver & Philadelphia, in association with Thomas/Lane & Associates, Inc., Sea-Tac International Airport Impact Mitigation Study: Initial Assessment and Recommendations, February, 1997. Executive Summary.
Prepared under a grant from the State of Washington. Reviews the costs of mitigating noise, transportation, property loss, tax loss, and school impacts of the proposed third runway at Sea-Tac. [Acrobat version - 66KB, 14 pages]

RCAA Home Library Portal Background Introduction History, Chronology Charts and Graphs Photo Archive Maps, Flight Tracks Shelf List Purpose, Need, Alternatives Purpose and Need Alternatives Impacts Environ. Impact Statements Community Overview Air Pollution Equity and Cost Shifting Health Impacts on Local Govt's Noise Residential Impacts Social Changes Schools Water Pollution Wetlands and Streams Construction, Engineering Issues The Embankment Fill Other Elements Earthquake Risks Economics Rising Costs Costs Omitted Indirect Costs Comparable Projects Dumb Idea at Any Price Port Spin RCAA Newsletters Latest Edition Newsletter Archive Other Regional Airports		RCAA ON-LINE LIBRARY Social Changes Issues in Brief: The EISes for the runway project were weak in analyzing the changes that Airport expansion would produce in the socio-economic make-up of nearby-communities. In March 1997, a supplemental study of potential third-runway impacts was published, resulting in a much clearer picture of predictable social changes, & the reasons why they occur. (The study, commonly referred to as “H-O-K”, was funded with a State grant.) Airport impacts, especially noise, depress property values, & long-term residents often seek to escape by moving far away. Often, their homes cannot be sold for true value, & fall into the rental market, while the owners or heirs wait for a buy-out by the Airport. Renters move in & out, the area is a target for newcomers (usually lower-income, often non-English-speaking). This can become a downward spiral. Severe strain is put on social-service agencies, including the local public schools. Condemnations for expansion, & buy-outs for noise-mitigation, destroy neighborhoods, & rob the community of its base of most-involved citizens. These changes tend to be permanent, for few people choose to move next to a “giant noise generating machine” if they can afford to locate elsewhere. There are no programs in place or proposed that can restore neighborhoods and cities after such impacts. See the Residential Impacts and Impacts on Local Gov’ts for further discussion of the problem of loss of property values, as it affects individuals and local governments. Documents: Helmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc., Dallas, Texas, Raytheon Infrastructure Services, Inc., Denver & Philadelphia, in association with Thomas/Lane & Associates, Inc., Sea-Tac International Airport Impact Mitigation Study: Initial Assessment and Recommendations, February, 1997. Executive Summary. Prepared under a grant from the State of Washington. Reviews the costs of mitigating noise, transportation, property loss, tax loss, and school impacts of the proposed third runway at Sea-Tac. [Acrobat version - 66KB, 14 pages] Home \| What's the Latest? \| Links \| Library \| Newsletter \| About Us