No Expansion of Airport Operations
Westchester County has approved two vendors to focus on the Westchester County Airport (HPN) master plan supplement and its related airport community engagement program. For the supplement, Merchant Aviation will provide a thorough and comprehensive picture of the economic value and environmental impacts of the airport both on- and off-site, and a new vision for the airport as a transportation resource.
For the Community Engagement Program, the contract has been awarded to Arch Street Communications, charging the company with educating and involving the public in the supplemental master planning process.
In May, after substantial public comment from the business community, environmentalists and the general public, the Westchester County Department of Planning issued a request for proposals to supplement the Westchester County Airport master plan and associated environmental impact study. The RFP incorporated public recommendations and focused on economic issues, environmental concerns and overall safety at the airport.
“The airport is an important part of our county; we must have a plan for this unique transportation resource,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “My administration made a commitment to complete a supplemental master plan to address the full scope of activities at the airport, ensure we have a full environmental review and Board of Legislators approval of the final document. Our goal is to help businesses and area residents, while also protecting the environment – a balance I am confident we can strike. I am pleased we are another step closer to having a supplement to the master plan, and for having the public be an integral part of this plan.”
Westchester Economic Development Director Bridget Gibbons called the Westchester County Airport a vital part of the local economy. “I am pleased the county took the time to hear the concerns of the business community when drafting the RFP,” she said. “We must all work together to make sure the airport is safe, environmentally friendly and good for business.”
Westchester County Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability Peter McCartt added: “Our county executive has an impeccable history when it comes to the environment and Westchester’s health, and the good, hard-working environmentalists in our region know and appreciate that. This administration has tight relationships with every advocacy group, and these concerned citizens acknowledge the plans, diligence and work of our internal specialists and scientists, as well as those hired as consultants.”
The county executive made a commitment to look at airport operations and their impacts and develop a new vision for the airport based on greater participation of the public. The supplement will add to the master plan with additional analysis of the airport, particularly with respect to the physical conditions of the property, buildings and infrastructure; additional analysis of noise and other impacts of the airport; and the local and regional economic impact of the airport. The supplement will also explore additional alternatives for improved safety and performance and reduced environmental impacts. However, there will be no expansion of airport operations.
Arch Street Communications is certified with the state and the federal government as a Women Business Enterprise. Arch Street will also be contracting with Morales Communications, a Minority Business Enterprise; and Front Line Communications, also an MBE as well as a service-disabled veteran-owned business.
Tasks include evaluating the airport as a unique resource and economic generator for the county and region; developing and evaluating alternatives to improve operational safety and efficiency of the airport, including facility modifications and modernizations as necessary; evaluating and developing alternatives to continue to improve environmental performance at the airport; implementing a robust public engagement program throughout the planning process, which will utilize a wide variety of methods; preparing an environmental impact statement for the proposed actions as appropriate pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act and its implementing regulations; and updating the Airport Layout Plan at the end of this analysis, after review with the county.
More particularly, the following objectives have been identified to guide this update:
* Assess, evaluate and make recommendations concerning the airport in the context of a unique transportation resource and economic asset for residents and businesses in the county and the tri-state region, including the growth and investment history at HPN and other airports within the region, a space utilization and economic activity summary for all buildings, and an analysis of economic activity off-site, either related to or dependent on the airport.
* Develop and evaluate alternatives to improve operational safety and efficiency of the airport, facility modifications and modernizations, as necessary, including an analysis of existing or proposed uses at other airports in the region; comparing those uses with aviation industry trends and demand (both general industry and appropriate sectors); an analysis of existing and contemplated aircraft operations at HPN, compared to the projections and recommendations included in the 2017 master plan; and an analysis of the existing land, structures and infrastructure throughout the airport property, including the condition and capacity of such with respect to the results of the recommended uses and operational practices for the airport.
Westchester County Airport was dedicated in 1945. The 697-acre facility has 20 aircraft hangars, 188 based single engine and light twin engine aircraft, 94 based corporate jets, and averages 442 takeoffs and landings per day.
There are currently 1485 full-time and 449 part-time and temporary employees at the airport, with another 6,328 jobs directly or indirectly related to the airport, which generates $735 million in economic activity.
