From: Chris Dement
Columbus
I’d like to congratulate the Columbus Municipal Airport on its latest multi-million dollar project.
I’ve been working there for quite a while, and have seen many projects completed in that time. From a complete demolition and rebuilding of the aircraft parking area in front of the terminal, to a brand new taxiway to save Cummins time and money by shortening their taxi route; from a complete resurfacing of all runways, to new lighting and a complete remodel of the terminal building and restaurant.
The latest project to get funding really should ice the cake. A nearly $3 million dollar fence around the airport.
What I haven’t seen, but have heard is at the "top" of the priority list, is a new air traffic control tower. I first heard of a new tower being built when I was first hired as an air traffic controller. I was told to expect a new tower within 18-24 months…19 years ago. Yes, years.
In that time period, millions upon millions of dollars have been spent while the decrepit relic of WWII continued to deteriorate.
Last year, while climbing the steps, one of them broke and I nearly fell to my death 60 feet below. The airport’s solution wasn’t to find a way to expedite building a new tower, but to put bolts in the steps to hold it together for just little while longer.
In my opinion, a new tower isn’t "the" top priority because the professionals who work in it get the job done no matter the conditions.
We have often worked without heat or running water in the winter. Sometimes the metal steps look like a Bering Sea crab boat covered in ice.
The tower has never, and still doesn’t meet the FAA’s minimum requirements for a "Federal Contract Tower," and yet they are considered "fully funded."
In the 19 years I’ve spent in that plywood box on stilts, I’ve heard many empty promises about a new tower. Maybe a $3 million dollar fence will make people wonder why they’ve never built a new tower.
