<p>The Martha’s Vineyard Airport is seeking federal funding for a $39 million expansion plan, despite declining air traffic.</p>
The Martha’s Vineyard Airport is seeking preliminary federal funding for a major $39 million redevelopment and expansion plan at the main terminal, despite a steep decline in air traffic since the last terminal was built.
Airport manager Ann Richart told the airport commission at its meeting last Thursday that she has applied for some $6 million to cover phase one design and permitting costs for a project that would double the airport terminal to some 32,000 square feet, create more space for passengers and baggage handling and allow more airlines to service the Island.
Plan would vastly expand the terminal to create more passenger waiting areas and more space for baggage handling in summer.
Plan would vastly expand the terminal to create more passenger waiting areas and more space for baggage handling in summer.
Ms. Richart said the grant money would come from a $1 billion Federal Aviation Administration omnibus spending bill approved in April for small airports and their infrastructure projects. The FAA is the clearinghouse for the funding. The time frame for grant awards runs for three years starting this September.
If the $6 million is approved, Ms. Richart said the airport would then apply for some $33.7 million in construction money. Calling the omnibus bill a “golden egg,” Ms. Richart told commissioners: “We have the opportunity to do this now. If we get this grant, building a new terminal building is exciting, but also a lot of work. We have our work cut out for us.”
The proposal comes against a backdrop of steadily declining air traffic over the past two decades at the Island’s only commercial airport. It is also a major deviation from the airport’s own master plan, updated in 2016, which set out an eight-year, $18 million capital improvement plan for the airport, only $3.4 million of which involved terminal improvements.
Speaking to the Gazette by telephone on Monday, Ms. Richart said the spending bill passed in the spring but details on the application process only became available in early July. She said the application was due August 8, so she was forced to act quickly.
“The very quick timeline and letter of intent doesn’t obligate us for anything,” Ms. Richart said. “We probably have a 50/50 chance at best of getting this.”
She said airport commissioners have not voted on any plans.
“If the FAA looks like it wants to give us a grant, then the commission will really deliberate and decide if they want to go forward,” she said.
At 15,000 square feet, the current terminal is about half the size of the one under consideration. The existing terminal, a decade in the planning, opened with fanfare in June 1999, replacing a structure originally constructed as a U.S. Navy base in World War II. The terminal cost about $11 million at the time.
The year after the new terminal was built, the airport reached its peak traffic, as measured both by the number of takeoffs and landings and by passenger boardings, also known as enplanements. In calendar year 2000, a total of 66,154 planes landed or took off from MVY, accounting for just over 71,000 passengers.
Air traffic in and out of MVY declined steadily from then until about 2011 when the FAA recorded a 25-year low of fewer than 40,000 landings and takeoffs at the Island airport. Passenger boardings had reached a low ebb in 2009, at 42,248. Traffic has rebounded somewhat since then but has averaged less than 50,000 takeoffs and landings per year in the last five years. In 2017, there were 49,767 passenger boardings recorded, down eight per cent from the year before and 30 per cent less than in the peak year of 2000.
Monthly business reports prepared by Ms. Richart confirmed a downward trend this summer. In June, the latest available report, total enplanements year to date were 8,166, compared with 8,646 for the same period in 2017 — a drop of 5.6 per cent.
Kerry Thompson on the tarmac where large jets queue up.
Kerry Thompson on the tarmac where large jets queue up.
In the June report Ms. Richart also took note of summer congestion problems. “We continue to experience significant congestion at the airline ticket counters, baggage claim, security screening checkpoint, gate lobby, front curb, and entrance road during the peak airline flight times,” she wrote. “Looking forward to working with you on making improvements to the terminal area to relieve this overcrowding.”
According to FAA figures, about half the annual traffic to the Island occurs in June, July and August, a proportion that has remained largely unchanged through fluctuations in overall traffic.
The updated master plan, released in September 2016, attributed the decline in airport usage after 2000 to a combination of factors, including two economic recessions, the rising cost of air travel and competition from ferry services. “By comparison,” the plan says, “Steamship Authority ferry passenger traffic fluctuated within a narrow range between 2000 and 2013, particularly between 2003 and 2011, and did not experience the same decline as aircraft operations.”
After 2011, security requirements nationwide led to major changes at the airport that could not have been contemplated when the new terminal was built a decade earlier. TSA screening now occupies a large amount of space in the terminal.
The 2016 updated master plan outlined four options for terminal improvements ranging from a $100,000 plan to add a family restroom and purchase a tent to hold screened passengers prior to boarding during the summer months, to a $7.7 million plan to gut and reconfigure the restaurant, administrative offices and baggage claim areas. In the end the plan settled on a $3.4 million option that would convert the rock garden area between the walkway and the terminal building to additional space in the main lobby, and add space to create a bigger baggage screening and secure holding area.
The grant funding application announced last week describes an array of planned improvements, including replacing the outdoor area that is tented with a permanent structure, revamping the baggage claim areas and correcting deficiencies on access roads in and out of the airport. It also paints a picture of an airport that is maxed out. “Currently the airport is over capacity for the number of passengers and baggage that can be handled at one time,” the application says.
“Although enplanements have increased and air carrier load factors are maximized, there is no longer room for airline ticketing counter; nor electrical subpanels for additional wall outlets to plug in computers. MVY cannot commit to airlines requesting route development at MVY due to limited infrastructure. This project will allow multiple domestic flights to operate simultaneously and increase route development opportunities.”
The application suggests that the expansion could bring increased revenue to the airport:
“MVY gains revenue through passenger facility charges, airline tenant leases and fuel sales to airlines. The increase in passengers assists the airport in attracting high lease rates for non-AIP eligible areas such as car rental facilities, restaurants and other concessions.”
Airport commissioners had little comment at the meeting.
But in a letter to the editor published online in the Gazette this week, airport commission chairman Robert Rosenbaum emphasized that any plan would need to be vetted first with Islanders. He also underscored the need for more space for TSA screening. “Screened passengers are herded into a tent, open on the sides to the weather with porta-potties. There is no air conditioning or heat. Passengers have missed flights because of delays going through the single security line,” he wrote.
“The airport commission and management are attempting to make the experience of passengers arriving and departing on commercial flights a pleasant one as well as for the family and friends they are picking them up. We are all Island residents and are all very familiar with all the challenges we are facing.”
Comments
What about the traffic. Cars
Jerry Gallagher West TisburyWhat about the traffic. Cars are already backing up to the terminal
road trying to leave the airport when the large plans land at the same
time
A right turn lane for the
randy chilmarkA right turn lane for the cars heading up island would be an easy fix that would make a big difference.
This does not appear to be
John Alley WTThis does not appear to be necessary. Space out the time(s)when airlines arrive don't bunch them up to cause needless congestion. It has been done in the past and was quite sucessfull. I also find it odd that the manager made application for funding without a vote of the board or a plan.
The airport has no authority
deshandra brown EdgThe airport has no authority to tell planes what time they can land. There are only a 3 'slot controlled' airports in the USA and MVY is not one of them. DCA, JFK, LGA are slot controlled. Having 3 commercial carriers arrive at the same time is inconvenient and I'm sure a dialogue with them could fix the traffic congestion on the ground of the cars leaving the airport. The airport can either lease them counter space or not if they don't cooperate.
John Alley is right. I am
Carol Lampson formerly ChilmarkJohn Alley is right. I am sure the airlines would work with the airport on this. I also find it odd that the manager made application for funding without a board vote or a plan. Or proper public hearings - which are smart, whether legally required or not. I think the airport has had enough bad odor and drama for awhile; it would be better to address issues in a more methodical, transparent way.
There is absolutely no reason
Todd EdgartownThere is absolutely no reason for this.... A complete waste of money .. For 4-5 weeks??
This is crazy. The current
Prudy Burt West TisburyThis is crazy. The current state of our roads and infrastructure (police, fire, ambulance, our mental health, etc) as of this day in mid August is proof that we struggle mightily to handle the status quo, forget accommodating more. I am so sick and tired of these grant 'opportunities' which are ALWAYS similarly time sensitive, and pre-empt the necessary first stop- a conversation about what we want, what we need, and most importantly, whether we should. We cannot continue to think that we can accommodate all comers. I have never seen these important conversations take place once the grant money has been awarded; after that, it's all systems go.
$39 million could be spent in
Concerned Islander West Tisbury$39 million could be spent in much better ways... how many houses/apartments could $39 million build? How many elder services could $39 million provide? How many food pantries could $39 million fill? How about the high school--it needs a $39 million renovation to keep our teenagers safe, engaged and educated, good teachers hired and proper facilities built. This island does not need to spend (or watch someone else spend) this kind of wealth on a building to house temporary airplane traffic. Islanders: aren't our priorities in better places???
No truer words were said. We
Gabrielle West TisburyNo truer words were said. We don't need it.How about affordable housing a Lyme clinic, or rehab center. We do not need a welcome center for the Gulfstream set.
The FAA is the agency
deshandra brown edgartownThe FAA is the agency responsible for the national airspace system and spends the money, collected from airline ticket taxes and aircraft fuel taxes paid by users of the system to keep it running. Your 'buzzwords' above , looking for a handout, should be directed towards the agencies responsible for funding those things such as HUD *housing and urban development* etc. The 'wealth' you speak of consists of taxes that USERS of the system paid in order to fund it. Its not the FAA's job to be 'nanny government' to cure all of your perceived 'social ills'.
Well put. Plus the
John Aldeborgh EdgartownWell put. Plus the "Gulfstream Set" mentioned above is not the reason for the new terminal, it the normal tourist or summer commuter traffic that can not afford a private plane. Those are the volumes of people, the "Gulfstream Set" are a small hand full of people that come and go as they please and and pay dearly to avoid the crowds. The tourists and summer commuters are also the folks who fund almost everything on the island. Take away these people and the island economy will collapse. A small and potentially vocal minority may think driving away the crowds is a great idea until the island infrastructure crumbles and the towns run out of money, then everyone suffers. The simple fact is the island has a tourism based economy, which needs to be properly maintained to remain competitive.
John, finally someone has
Chris OBJohn, finally someone has some sense! Without tourism we would all suffer. Do you think the State and County would pay any attention to MV if it weren’t for the tourism.
So well said.
Lisa Gardiner EdgsrtownSo well said.
This is all about balance -
JM 02539This is all about balance - of course tourism is critical to the island, but the unchecked level of vehicle traffic risks choking things in a way that harms the elements of the island that make it so compelling to begin with. There is no easy solution, but $39 million for a new terminal doesn't seem like a move in the right direction. As far as the crazy on-top-of-one-another flight times of the large planes, I'd like to think that common sense / negotiation can help alleviate the related issues.
Why is this good ? Is our
J EdgartownWhy is this good ? Is our goal to bring as many people to the island as possible ?
I say no. The last thing we
Paul Adler Up islandI say no. The last thing we need here is more tourism and more air and road traffic. I’d rather see efforts made to reduce air traffic noise and tourism. Locally based healthy businesses is our future not encouraging tourism and noise pollution
The peace of our Island is
Enough W. TisburyThe peace of our Island is already disrupted with extreme noise from planes idling, taking off and landing. Sometimes more is not better. This is not a major city!
The ingredient that adds the
JAR MV/NYThe ingredient that adds the best to flavor MV is “less”. Trite though it may sound, Less is More. Please don’t do this unnecessary expansion. At least unnecessary to MV’s better nature.
More people choosing to come
WashAbhorred EdgartownMore people choosing to come by air = far fewer cars coming over on the ferry.
I say, "NO, NO, and NO again.
Wesley Brown Oak BluffsI say, "NO, NO, and NO again." This is a very bad idea. We already have too many planes coming into the airport. Planes go over our house just minutes apart. We don't need any more. This is just one more bad idea to further ruin the island.
I don't think, if the airport
Doreen Morse EdgartownI don't think, if the airport expansion was voted on by the folks of our six towns, that you would see much support for making the island busier than it already is in the summer. As is usual, no one is asking the residents what THEY think. Also, on another front further in the article, the Airport Laundromat is in need of many repairs to their machines and structure in my mind. I am not sure I would want this owner expanding his use of water, unless he has firm plans to get more efficient machinery and a better facility maintenance plan for what he already owns.
That terminal is empty 3/4 of
Jean K West TisburyThat terminal is empty 3/4 of the year. This is a terrible waste of funding that could definitely be put to better use for things like housing. Enough is enough!
This is a grant from the FAA.
WashAbhorred EdgartownThis is a grant from the FAA. They do not give grants for housing.
This expansion will make life
Kathryn Muir EdgartownThis expansion will make life a living hell. It will FOREVER change the island. You can bet that there is another hidden agenda to accommodate more people coming to island all year. There will be NO PEACE off season either. Do not let this happen. The continual increase in air traffic will destroy your lives as you know it with no benefit to the islanders. The noise is bad enough now and once the FAA approves more air traffic it NEVER will return to todays levels. NEVER .... ask anyone who has been a victim of the FAA's Nextgen program. Look up Save Our Skies , for example.
I agree that we need more
Dan Greenwald West ChopI agree that we need more affordable housing and other important infrastructure improvements but this $10,000,000.00 is coming from the FAA and cannot be used for other than air transport projects. I hope some of these funds will be earmarked for improvements in traffic and parking.
This is a dumb idea.
Thomas J Bena ChilmarkThis is a dumb idea.
NO NO NO
Joanna Cole ChilmarkNO NO NO
Is this a joke. Seems like
Tom Engley West tisburyIs this a joke. Seems like it sounds like someone is trying to make a name for them self. Stupid idea.
We had a movement to stop Jet
Jefferson Greely VHWe had a movement to stop Jet traffic altogether about 30 years ago, think of the peace and quiet we'd have and how this Island would have benefitted if we had been successful. This proposed project will be met with the full force of opposition from our community, EXPANSION IS A TERRIBLE IDEA.
I enjoy reading the comments
deshandra brown EdgI enjoy reading the comments from all the armchair experts who know NOTHING about the aviation system, its funding, and its operation. The 'demand' for air travel is not created by a "BUILDING". If people want to come to Marthas Vineyard, they need to rent a house, buy a house, or rent a hotel room. Do you geniuses think that putting a more appropriate building at the airport is going to convince some airline to start sending more planes here? There is a finite demand, for air travel, and its called 'O and D' (origin and destination) traffic. If planes are empty, the airlines wont send them. Passenger demand is not driven by a building! (thanks for the laugh) If you build more hotels, rent more houses, and encourage air B&B and advertise, you'll get more traffic. But making a crowed building more comfortable with money from the FAA wont increase traffic here. Day trippers don't spend the big $$ to fly up and rent mopeds.
Deshandra,
Fred EdgartownDeshandra,
I agree with most of your points.... however it is not needed there is not a demand that is the outrage. I travel the airport twice a week Year round? The place is empty!
So,, what kind of expert
Give me a break MvSo,, what kind of expert would you call yourself. Obviously you ARE an expert in this field and every other one that you seem to comment and know everything about,, give me a break
Yes anonymous poster I AM an
deshandra brown EdgYes anonymous poster I AM an expert in this field . Thanks for displaying your ignorance with your remarks. The gazette usually censors posts like yours that attack the messenger and have NOTHING to add to the conversation (as usual!). You must be one of the people who made a poor decision to live next to the airport then complain about the airplane noise. Don't worry, a new modern efficient building won't attract more planes.
So who are you ? There is no
Nate Durawa EdgartownSo who are you ? There is no deshandra brown on the island, if you are such an expert why not become an airport commissioner ? Hiding behind a false name and commenting on issues is very cowardly.
Deshandra - or whoever you
MikeD WTDeshandra - or whoever you are.
Why does expanding the terminal make sense to you - ??
We would like to hear your expert opinion.
I agree, as many commenters do, that expanding the terminal seems needless, as it is empty 95% of the time in the shoulder and winter months.
I like John's comment about better scheduling during busier times - like now.
Ann, what about that?
Deshandra, you have made comments regarding the people that chose to live near the airport before.
It was not a poor choice, it is a beautiful area.
If the pilots would only respect their mandated flight paths and not immediately bank over the residential neighborhood during take off and come in where they are supposed to (and not over the residential portion of the area) it would be better.
They have all the room they need that is vacant land to fly over.
Penikise island?
deshandra brown EdgPenikise island?
Remember the bumper stickers:
Ginny WTRemember the bumper stickers: "Want jets, say no" or at least that is one that I remember and then the famous "NO JETS" bumper sticker. That was back in the 60's and 70's (what a long and strange journey it has been) and my opinions haven't changed in the intervening 50 or so years. The airport is in the center of the island so almost all island residents and seasonal visitors get to experience the noise of the jets, mom & pop prop planes, private jets and all the rest. During the months when our windows are open we area all treated to a constant barrage of unwelcome noise. The airport and the air traffic are a very large part of that noise. The airport used to not allow any but emergency traffic from 2300 to 0600 which at least kept the midnight traffic down to a minimum. That policy has been forgotten and islanders are often treated to a early morning (0200 or so) flight with more as sunrise approaches. We don't want increased traffic and furthermore we don't want increased air traffic. Just because money is available doesn't mean that we have to try to dream up ways to spend a rather large chunk of change. Just a short time ago the airport management was crying broke -- now we could be going to spend close to $40 million! True, it can't be used for the other worth causes (affordable housing, elder housing, a Lyme clinic, etc.) which others have mentioned but we don't have to spend money either. After all it was paid in by hard working tax payers (and that would be us)...............
If money must be spent it should be sought to make needed upgrades and repairs to the canal bridges and not for luxury travel the Gulfstar crowd. I guess that the Airport staff believes in going ahead and then asking for a plan, and for permission.............a dangerous precedent!
This more of the
Tim Rockwood Kensington, MD/Edgartown, MAThis more of the Nantucketization of the Vineyard. Old airport was better. Stop having big jets land and take off in same time slots. Easy call. The island is full of poison ivy, skunks, and algae blooms (!). Terrible tourist destination. And my, those sardonic and obstreperous New Englanders? Who wants to vacation near them? Please have TripAdvisor and Yelp and whatever re-route most people to the Hamptons.
Yes, Tim. And ticks! Don't
Carol formerly ChilmarkYes, Tim. And ticks! Don't forget to list all the tick diseases!
The anti-rotary crowd has a
WashAbhorred EdgartownThe anti-rotary crowd has a new hobby for the next few years.
Larger terminal for 2-3
Jill G ChilmarkLarger terminal for 2-3 months a year???? More air pollution, more noise pollution, more traffic? Really??
"NO MORE JETS!" Let us
Barbara Puciul West Tisbury"NO MORE JETS!" Let us resurrect this campaign. I am against the idea of expanding the airport in order to encourage more overloading of our island eco systems. The island does not need any more obnoxious air traffic. It is already deafening for those of us who live nearby! For the few summer months, it seems a waste of money to encourage more people than the island can handle. More people, would mean, constructing bigger highways to accommodate the greater flow of traffic, thus, ruining the existing tranquility our country roads offer. It might also mean more development of our rural farmland for summer housing. We would also have to update all island infrastructure to deal with the increased load. Let's get real.
Sure, let's do away with the
Paulli D EdgartownSure, let's do away with the jets and the tourist, and the summer crowds. God save our island! Now, where will you work? What scholarship money will be available for the students? What about all the charities that are constantly asking the summer crowd for money? Housing, how will you build it with out that dirty money from the summer crowds? A new terminal does not mean more or bigger jets. Those of us who utilize the airport know that the terminal is cramped, and outdated. Sorry we can't go back tot eh whaling days.
Let’s us not forget the taxes
Chris OBLet’s us not forget the taxes that are paid by seasonal owners who pay the FULL tax for schools, emergency workers, roads, etc. and only use some of the services for a portion of the year. I agree let’s get rid of tourism and let’s see how far our tax money will go! Of course, I am sure all the people who make boatloads of money during the summer boosting service and goods pricing will do just fine without tourism money.
At some point every hot
paul adler up islandAt some point every hot tourist destination is faced with growth verse the quality of life. I think we are at capacity now for tourist. There are other issues regarding more jet traffic such as air pollution as depicted in this article. Once you build it, you can can't go back.
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101005-planes-pollutio…
A larger terminal costs more
Joanna Cole ChilmarkA larger terminal costs more to maintain - who pays for that?
I am amazed how little
Eleanor McC BostonI am amazed how little islanders know about the US airspace and how FAA funds airport improvements. But how would one know? Have there been introductory meetings? Have there been various get together's where funding of airports are explained? Has there been any attempt by the Airport to explain that one must think 20 years ahead, that this is the future not the past? Many of us would like to go back to 1960 but it isn't going to happen. Educate yourself, look at other airports that have seasonal traffic and understand that MVY is a tourist destination - let's make it the best one we can.
Insane idea. Absolutely not.
MarthaInsane idea. Absolutely not. The island is starting to lose its sweetness and character and every day is becoming more stressful and crazy. Lack of common sense has led to escalating viciousness.
I’m sick of all the fighting and ridiculous nonsense. Anyone who would be for this does not care about the sacredness of our precious island home.
Ridiculous and idiotic. This
EmilyRidiculous and idiotic. This is a small island. You want a giant airport terminal? Go to Boston or N.Y.
This new one is plenty sufficient. Preserve the character of the island. Bigger ISNT better!
It is sad to see the many
JP EdgartownIt is sad to see the many comments that include personal attacks on, and unkind characterizations of, the commenters rather than focusing on the pros and cons of the proposed airport changes. This is reflective of a greater problem in our country right now - lack of respect for differing views and opinions. In many of these comments I've read some very good points both for and against airport expansion, the value (or not) of tourism to the island's economy, and the desire to preserve the many wonderful things we all enjoy here. Objective, factual and courteous input would be more helpful than name calling and attacks on someone's intelligence, wealth or lack thereof, and place of origin. Those unpleasant additions to what could be a valuable conversation do not, in my book, have any value at all and reflect so very poorly on the persons who resort to that. Whether you consider yourself one of "us" or one of "them" such rudeness certainly doesn't speak well of either group!
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