Two guys, one whose moniker became "Quick Jab Bill" and another named Brian, happened to work together in Manchester, New Hampshire. To make a long story short they both landed here in Mesa inside City Hall. One stayed inside city hall and another got to go to an airport, one of two here in our sprawling metropolis Mesa, City Endless.
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| J. Brian O'Neill |
"One month into his tenure, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport's new leader is pushing ahead with his predecessor's efforts to recruit new airlines, develop vacant land and fend off residential encroachment."
Blogger's Note: The first push is proving to be a great success based on a barrage of news stories in the last few days [see related content farther into this post]
In addition there are numerous posts on this blogsite about both Gateway Airport and Falcon Field that readers might find of interest, including a $9.6 Million dollar grant from FAA for the third runway improvements to support civilian, military, and pilot training.
Other posts on the blogsite feature some not so successful efforts to fend off residential development.
But first let's return to the article about the new director "Interim Executive Director and CEO Brian O'Neill [ in image above left ] appointed to replace Jane Morris after her resignation, said he believes the regional airport "has a real opportunity to serve a more important role" if it moves aggressively in those areas in the coming months.
Although Gateway supports more than 10,000 area jobs and funnels an estimated $1.3 billion into the local economy each year, it has a long way to go before realizing its potential as an effective reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International, according to aviation experts.
As it works toward that vision, O'Neill said, the airport has the chance to build on its status as an economic engine for the southeast Valley. . . "
Here's a look at a handful of initiatives the airport is advancing under O'Neill's leadership this year:
1 Aerospace park
Unlike Mesa's older west side, where infill projects reign, the southeastern part of the city has huge plots of developable land, including the airport near Ray and Ellsworth roads.
Of the roughly 1,000 vacant acres Gateway has available, about 700 acres likely will be reserved for a future east-side terminal. But airport officials are moving to develop the remaining 350 acres, on the southwestern part of the campus, as soon as possible.
2 More commercial airlines
Gateway currently has just one commercial carrier, Allegiant Air. . . Still, the airport doesn't deny it's "aggressively looking for other airlines that are interested in coming and providing services for the East Valley and greater Phoenix area" through industry conferences and other outreach.3 Strategic planning
Gateway's continued growth and expansion eventually will spur development in the greater airport area.
But not every type of project is compatible with an airport.
Mesa's Falcon Field — a general-aviation airport that for years has tried to manage skirmishes between one of its flight schools and its residential neighbors — offers an example of what can happen when planning officials fail to create a buffer zone for airport noise and operations.
"Airports can be good neighbors, when we have a chance to work proactively with nearby communities to lay out a plan for appropriate land uses," O'Neill said. "That's exactly what Gateway is trying to do right now: update our land-use compatibility plan to protect both the airport and those communities. . .
According to airport spokesman Brian Sexton, the airport also is working to finalize a new strategic plan that will outline ways to increase air service:
- invest in "people, capital and operational assets"
- attract commercial development
- differentiate Gateway's brand
- build infrastructure
- develop regional tourism
1. Phoenix Biz Journal posted this piece yesterday
'The tip of the iceberg': Why Mesa Gateway's new Canada flight could change Arizona's tourism
2. The same news outlet posted another piece later the same day, yesterday
WestJet adds more international flights to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
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