County needs to step up at Paine Field

The question over whether to allow commercial flights at Paine Field has stirred up strong emotions throughout Snohomish County and beyond.

Several South County residents and city officials are understandably protesting the proposed airline service, citing the agreement the county made almost 30 years ago not to actively encourage commercial flights at Paine. This agreement allowed housing developments to spring up around the airport, developments that now sit square in the flight path of those flights.

Proponents of the proposal point to the benefits commercial service could bring, including a way for residents of Snohomish and North King counties to bypass SeaTac and the support jobs that Horizon or Allegiant Air flights would create.

But the current debate over whether to fly or not to fly is moot. The county cannot legally ban commercial flights from Paine Field. Despite the protests by citizens and city governments, air service is coming to Paine.

The real question is how far the county should go in controlling the flights that will inevitably take off and land from Paine’s runway. While it’s unlikely the county will be able to dictate when these flights will takeoff or land, officials can control the size of the terminal, and control the traffic coming in and out of the airport.

And how should the cash-strapped county pay for a terminal? You’ve heard of “shovel ready” projects, projects that are ready to go and just waiting for money from the stimulus package. Well, we propose a “wheel-ready” project for Snohomish County – take the money, buy a double-wide trailer from the local dealership and park that sucker next to the runway. Voila! The airlines get their flights, but the county maintains some control and accountability to its constituents.