Aspen Pitkin County Airport Director John Kinney told City Council on Tuesday that it’s important to reach out to all interested parties prior to launching an environmental assessment required for a terminal expansion.
He sought council feedback on the economic, environmental and quality of life issues that should be considered as airport plans move into the next phase.
Council members were mostly in support of the objectives for a rebuilt terminal and expanded runway, but Mayor Steve Skadron said there are ways in which the airport’s needs and city goals conflict. The city is focused on taking cars off the road.
“You can make an argument that we need more rental cars — rental cars turn a huge value to airports as I understand it,” said Skadron. “This directly contradicts with the greater priorities in two of our current city council goals.”
Included in the plans are an underground parking garage — which could be used as a possible hub for commuters, strengthening the availability of public transportation to and from the airport.
