Centerlines - April 2008 - (Page 53) GOOD NEWS Tucson Airport Authority Celebrates 60 Years B Y N ICOL E N E L S ON AN ARIZONA STATE charter created Tucson Airport Authority on April 12, 1948 with 15 original incorporators in order to operate a municipal commercial service airport for the City of Tucson after it had to move from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. Over the past 60 years, the authority has evolved from a simple aviation service provider to one of the most important economic entities in its community. The authority’s apolitical organizational structure has no state or local government affiliation and is regarded both within the community and around the country as a model of how to run a “utility.” Today, the authority membership of 115 is composed of representatives from the military, financial institutions, legal and marketing firms and health care providers as well as from Tucson’s major industries and educational facilities. They meet annually and elect a nine-member board that employs a president to oversee day-to-day operations. TAA President and CEO Bonnie Allin said that during TAA’s 60-year history, the airport, now known as Tucson International, has become an international port of entry and grown to over 8,300 acres with more than 300 tenants. “With a population of 1 million, a great climate, and a quality lifestyle, Tucson is extremely aware of the importance of the airports in its economic development efforts and recognizes that Tucson International Airport is an economic catalyst in our community,” Allin said. Tucson will host a community open house on Oct. 14 to celebrate both TAA’s 60th anniversary and also the 50th Anniversary of the FAA Tucson control tower. TAA’s accomplishments provide ample evidence of the dedication of the volunteers and employees who make things happen every day. The authority: • Negotiated one of the first longterm use agreements with the airlines serving its community, ensuring the airport’s growth for the next 30 years. • Has been an innovator in the sale of revenue bonds to finance airport improvements. • Was the first airport in the United States to submit an Airport Noise Compatibility and Land Use Plan to FAA, enabling the airport to qualify for a variety of noise mitigation improvements, including relocating the main runway a half mile to the southeast, the adoption of zoning ordinances both by the Tucson and Pima County to restrict development and require soundproofing in new homes around the perimeter of Tucson International, and the launch one of the first Sound Insulation Programs in the country. • Was one of the first U.S. airports to operate an in-line EDS baggage system to meet the congressional mandated date of January 1, 2003. BOOK CHRONICLES GREENSVILLE-SPARTANBURG’S 45-YEAR HISTORY Trac Tracing Greenville-Spartanburg Airport’s first 45 years, local author Dave Partridge has published a history of the South Carolina airfi eld. Par “This is the story about the dream of a regional airport that became the “Th catalyst that spurred regional cooperation and helped save the Upstate’s cat economy,” Partridge writes in the book, Greenville-Spartanburg eco International Airport: Upstate South Carolina’s Gateway to the World. Int Greensville-Spartanburg International Airport Executive Director Gary Gr Jackson said Partridge shuffled through 45 years of news clippings and Ja interviewed at least 100 people, who had had involvement with the airport in to produce a well-documented book. “The book was done in such a way that it is very readable and “ interesting,” Jackson said. i On October 15, 2007, a reception and book signing was held to O commemorate the airport’s 45th anniversary. com “We invited the folks that had been a part of our history and had a part in writing this book,” Jackson said. “It was quite an evening we had.” www.aci-na.org | CENTERLINES 53 http://www.aci-na.org
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