Paulding Airport

[naturegirl]

To bring in commercial flights.......a deal done under the table behind closed doors. With a guy that was booted to the curb in Gwinnett County.

Weren't we told there would never be any commercial flights at that airport??

As the Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport gears up for its annual airshow, Channel 2's Aaron Diamant found Propeller Investment CEO Brett Smith's sights set a whole lot higher.

Smith told Diamant that Paulding County leaders approached him soon after his plan to privatize and expand Gwinnett County's Briscoe Field got shot down last year, so last November he very quietly signed a 40-year lease with the Paulding County Airport Authority for the entire underused terminal building and a lot of the surrounding land.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/paulding-airport-bring-commercial-flights/nbFc4/

This is already getting getting push back from Atlanta and Delta Airlines.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/investor-already-getting-pushback-over-controversi/nbGMn/

 

[unionmom]

I don't recall them saying no commercial flights ... only that there was a restriction on the size of anything flying in or out.

 

[naturegirl]

We were told the runway was not long enough to allow commercial flights. Remember, we voted this down, twice and voted for the reservoir. We didn't want an airport 20 years ago, why would we want one now?? And we still are buying our water from Cobb County.

 

[unionmom]

The runway is plenty long enough for commercial ... it just isn't long enough for big planes.

 

[mei lan]

We were told the runway was not long enough to allow commercial flights. Remember, we voted this down, twice and voted for the reservoir. We didn't want an airport 20 years ago, why would we want one now?? And we still are buying our water from Cobb County.

Honestly, the politicians in this county suck.

 

[naturegirl]

We were told the runway was not long enough to allow commercial flights. Remember, we voted this down, twice and voted for the reservoir. We didn't want an airport 20 years ago, why would we want one now?? And we still are buying our water from Cobb County.

Honestly, the politicians in this county suck.

Yes they do!! I'm so sick of it all. I hope Todd Pownall runs for Commission Chairman. He rocks!! He and Kim Cobb are some of my favorite every day people.

 

[lotstodo]

It's front page top center in the AJC this morning.

 

[naturegirl]

I have no problem with growth and bringing jobs to Paulding. There needs to be a long term plan, a group of people that can execute that plan without lining their pockets and those of their friends.

This was handled behind closed doors, that's no way to get support from the people that live here. Of course if you're friends with the cattle prodders, it's all good.

 

[lotstodo]

What we have is a two part problem, and an opportunity. The first problem is that our elected officials have run this county as a for-profit entity since God was a little boy and that has to stop with the next election. The vision that is followed is theirs and that of their "friends", not the citizens of Paulding County. The second problem is the back door deal to apparently begin quasi commercial service with one company buying in and apparently no long range plan or bidding process. I fear for where the "profits" are actually going in the lease deal. The smell of feces is strong with this one.

Now as for Propeller Investments, they have shown an amazing ability to finance all sorts of aerospace projects and turn them profitable. I would imagine that just their management of the terminal and lease of the surrounding property will be able to attract quality aviation related businesses to the field. This is important, because a handful of good ol' boys from west Georgia weren't getting that job done. Unfortunately, their vision is scheduled commercial service, and I'm not in agreement with them. I do believe that even if they drop back 5 and punt, they will find quality charter, distribution, FBO, maintenance, rebuilding, and hangar/tie down businesses to be quite profitable for themselves, their operators, and the people of Paulding. That is after the stench disappears.

 

[Winchester]

We were told the runway was not long enough to allow commercial flights. Remember, we voted this down, twice and voted for the reservoir. We didn't want an airport 20 years ago, why would we want one now?? And we still are buying our water from Cobb County.

This is a common misconception of what the vote was about. The vote was ONLY to see if people were willing to pay for a bond to pay for the construction of the airport. And of course it was turned down but then a few years later the FAA came to County officials to say they would fund 95% the project.

There was never a vote to see if we "wanted" the airport, only if we wanted to pay for it with increased property taxes.


_______________

The landing strip was originally designed for 4000 or 4500 ft and the FAA wanted a longer runway so they could allow larger planes and smaller jets to land. This did include commercial (which is anyone who flies a plane "for hire", aka...has passengers.

The landing strip was then planned for 5500 ft, not sure when it was extended to 6000 as per WSB. I think that may be wrong info. There is also plans for a 2nd landing strip on the South side of the current one.

Long term plans for the County will be to purchase all of the 10,000 acres owned by the City of Atlanta. Who bought this land with the sole intent to build a 2nd ATL airport in the early 70's. It was never a hidden secret, so was the land that is now called "The Georgian Resort".

__________

Large commercial deals are always done under NDA's until the deal is completed. No one outside that deal will know. This is done for many reasons and can have stiff legal ramifications. All of the big businesses currently announced to come to Paulding were done this way.

 

[Winchester]

We were told the runway was not long enough to allow commercial flights. Remember, we voted this down, twice and voted for the reservoir. We didn't want an airport 20 years ago, why would we want one now?? And we still are buying our water from Cobb County.

Honestly, the politicians in this county suck.

Yes they do!! I'm so sick of it all. I hope Todd Pownall runs for Commission Chairman. He rocks!! He and Kim Cobb are some of my favorite every day people.

This would not have changed the way these deals are done.

I do not know why Todd was not involved in the deal, maybe he didn't show up for the meetings? I don't know.

 

[Winchester]

What we have is a two part problem, and an opportunity. The first problem is that our elected officials have run this county as a for-profit entity since God was a little boy and that has to stop with the next election. The vision that is followed is theirs and that of their "friends", not the citizens of Paulding County. The second problem is the back door deal to apparently begin quasi commercial service with one company buying in and apparently no long range plan or bidding process. I fear for where the "profits" are actually going in the lease deal. The smell of feces is strong with this one.

Now as for Propeller Investments, they have shown an amazing ability to finance all sorts of aerospace projects and turn them profitable. I would imagine that just their management of the terminal and lease of the surrounding property will be able to attract quality aviation related businesses to the field. This is important, because a handful of good ol' boys from west Georgia weren't getting that job done. Unfortunately, their vision is scheduled commercial service, and I'm not in agreement with them. I do believe that even if they drop back 5 and punt, they will find quality charter, distribution, FBO, maintenance, rebuilding, and hangar/tie down businesses to be quite profitable for themselves, their operators, and the people of Paulding. That is after the stench disappears.

A 40 year lease not long enough?

And the County has an exit clause after 5 years to revoke this lease if they do not produce.

And they are taking all available floorspace in the terminal building plus several acres for additional office space?

 

[lotstodo]

What we have is a two part problem, and an opportunity. The first problem is that our elected officials have run this county as a for-profit entity since God was a little boy and that has to stop with the next election. The vision that is followed is theirs and that of their "friends", not the citizens of Paulding County. The second problem is the back door deal to apparently begin quasi commercial service with one company buying in and apparently no long range plan or bidding process. I fear for where the "profits" are actually going in the lease deal. The smell of feces is strong with this one.

Now as for Propeller Investments, they have shown an amazing ability to finance all sorts of aerospace projects and turn them profitable. I would imagine that just their management of the terminal and lease of the surrounding property will be able to attract quality aviation related businesses to the field. This is important, because a handful of good ol' boys from west Georgia weren't getting that job done. Unfortunately, their vision is scheduled commercial service, and I'm not in agreement with them. I do believe that even if they drop back 5 and punt, they will find quality charter, distribution, FBO, maintenance, rebuilding, and hangar/tie down businesses to be quite profitable for themselves, their operators, and the people of Paulding. That is after the stench disappears.

A 40 year lease not long enough?

And the County has an exit clause after 5 years to revoke this lease if they do not produce.

And they are taking all available floorspace in the terminal building plus several acres for additional office space?

Is there a point hidden in there somewhere?

ETA, I should address your questions:

The average ground lease for undeveloped land at airports with 5500-8000 ft. runways is $.32 per sf for a 25 year term. So 40 years is way too long. I don't know the per sf rate agreed upon.

As you know exit clauses are very tight, in fact damn near impossible to invoke. Are there stated performance goals to be met? I don't know, not having read the lease agreement.

According the the AJC they are completely taking over the "terminal" building as well as several acres of undeveloped land. I presume that that land will be for hangars and aviation related businesses. SOP for these types of deals.

I would also ask what the fuel flowage fee will be and how that money will be divided. The fuel flowage fee is the single largest revenue source for municipalities at most general aviation airports.

 

[stradial]

We were told the runway was not long enough to allow commercial flights. Remember, we voted this down, twice and voted for the reservoir. We didn't want an airport 20 years ago, why would we want one now?? And we still are buying our water from Cobb County.

Honestly, the politicians in this county suck.

Yes they do!! I'm so sick of it all. I hope Todd Pownall runs for Commission Chairman. He rocks!! He and Kim Cobb are some of my favorite every day people.

I have met Kim Cobb a few times and she seems to be a very nice person.
I have spent quite a few hours with Tod Pownall and I can say that he is a good guy.

I am baffled as to why two seemingly intelligent people, with ethics and morals, are in politics.
Oh well, I guess it takes all kinds.

 

[silverchief]

How much runway does a 737-200 require?? Guess I'll have to ruggedize the china cabinet.

 

[lotstodo]

We were told the runway was not long enough to allow commercial flights. Remember, we voted this down, twice and voted for the reservoir. We didn't want an airport 20 years ago, why would we want one now?? And we still are buying our water from Cobb County.

Honestly, the politicians in this county suck.

Yes they do!! I'm so sick of it all. I hope Todd Pownall runs for Commission Chairman. He rocks!! He and Kim Cobb are some of my favorite every day people.

I have met Kim Cobb a few times and she seems to be a very nice person.
I have spent quite a few hours with Tod Pownall and I can say that he is a good guy.

I am baffled as to why two seemingly intelligent people, with ethics and morals, are in politics.
Oh well, I guess it takes all kinds.

Pownall claims to have been completely unaware. He says he learned about the deal on TV.

Sent from a small screen using fat thumbs.

 

[Winchester]

What we have is a two part problem, and an opportunity. The first problem is that our elected officials have run this county as a for-profit entity since God was a little boy and that has to stop with the next election. The vision that is followed is theirs and that of their "friends", not the citizens of Paulding County. The second problem is the back door deal to apparently begin quasi commercial service with one company buying in and apparently no long range plan or bidding process. I fear for where the "profits" are actually going in the lease deal. The smell of feces is strong with this one.

Now as for Propeller Investments, they have shown an amazing ability to finance all sorts of aerospace projects and turn them profitable. I would imagine that just their management of the terminal and lease of the surrounding property will be able to attract quality aviation related businesses to the field. This is important, because a handful of good ol' boys from west Georgia weren't getting that job done. Unfortunately, their vision is scheduled commercial service, and I'm not in agreement with them. I do believe that even if they drop back 5 and punt, they will find quality charter, distribution, FBO, maintenance, rebuilding, and hangar/tie down businesses to be quite profitable for themselves, their operators, and the people of Paulding. That is after the stench disappears.

A 40 year lease not long enough?

And the County has an exit clause after 5 years to revoke this lease if they do not produce.

And they are taking all available floorspace in the terminal building plus several acres for additional office space?

Is there a point hidden in there somewhere?

ETA, I should address your questions:

The average ground lease for undeveloped land at airports with 5500-8000 ft. runways is $.32 per sf for a 25 year term. So 40 years is way too long. I don't know the per sf rate agreed upon.

As you know exit clauses are very tight, in fact damn near impossible to invoke. Are there stated performance goals to be met? I don't know, not having read the lease agreement.

According the the AJC they are completely taking over the "terminal" building as well as several acres of undeveloped land. I presume that that land will be for hangars and aviation related businesses. SOP for these types of deals.

I would also ask what the fuel flowage fee will be and how that money will be divided. The fuel flowage fee is the single largest revenue source for municipalities at most general aviation airports.

Good questions. I have no idea, just read the same things you did.

 

[Winchester]

We were told the runway was not long enough to allow commercial flights. Remember, we voted this down, twice and voted for the reservoir. We didn't want an airport 20 years ago, why would we want one now?? And we still are buying our water from Cobb County.

Honestly, the politicians in this county suck.

Yes they do!! I'm so sick of it all. I hope Todd Pownall runs for Commission Chairman. He rocks!! He and Kim Cobb are some of my favorite every day people.

I have met Kim Cobb a few times and she seems to be a very nice person.
I have spent quite a few hours with Tod Pownall and I can say that he is a good guy.

I am baffled as to why two seemingly intelligent people, with ethics and morals, are in politics.
Oh well, I guess it takes all kinds.

Pownall claims to have been completely unaware. He says he learned about the deal on TV.

Sent from a small screen using fat thumbs.

I've known Todd a long time. I find it hard to believe he didn't know anything, this deal has been in the works for over a year. There would have been dozens of meetings over this.

 

[naturegirl]

First let me say, Winchester I'm so glad you came in this thread. I was waiting to hear what you had to say.

Second, LTD has some very valid points and questions. The problem with these elected officials in Paulding County is they don't have a plan, they just do. I understand Blake Swafford and Jerry Shearin are good buddies, that throws up bunches of red flags.

The fact this was done behind closed doors, committing the airport to someone else for 40 years is mind blowing.

I don't know if Todd knew about this or not. I've known him for years and don't believe he would say he didn't if he did know. The way I see it, Todd is the only hope to keep that Good Ole' Boy system in check.

Let's wait and see what Delta and Atlanta do with the FAA on this.

 

[stradial]

I don't know if Todd did or didn't know.
But he is someone who truly cares about people and helping them.
At least that was my experience with him.
He is also someone who cared about those who would come after him, in other words, he tried to do what was right for not just now, but for the future, even if he would not be a part of that future.