In response to the Oct. 20 letter indicating that Arlington Airport would be better off with a racetrack nearby, I have the following comments. First of all, I cannot argue with the writer that many airports over the years have lost the battle with housing developments. However, there is a difference in the case of Arlington Airport.
The vast majority of these airports that yield to housing developments are private airports. One mentioned in the letter was Martha Lake. Many times these airports are much smaller than Arlington. They are private airports. Also, they are not the money-makers that Arlington Airport is. Most have not re-invested in themselves. Often, the owners are older folks who simply find it easier to give up the fight to remain an airport and to sell out to the developers, allowing them to at least have a somewhat comfortable retirement without the hassles involved with operating and defending an airport.
There are many other uses for this land that can create much larger tax revenues and economic benefits, requiring much less monetary involvement that are also compatible with the unfettered operation of this airport. A four-year college has been mentioned numerous times, and this is something that we certainly could use in the county.
I’ve been told that some of the private airports have basically been leased by ISC/NASCAR during racing event weeks. I’m not sure that could be done here because this is a public use airport, owned and operated by the City of Arlington. The point is this : I like it just the way it is.
James W. Nice
Marysville
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