A call for advice on persuasion (VERY LONG)

SkyHog

SkyHog

Touchdown! Greaser!
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Everything Offends Me
Back story:

Coronado Airport (4AC) was a quaint little airport, just north of the Albuquerque Class C airspace. It was very popular, and at one time sported 2 active runways. It was open from 1961 until 2001, when the Pueblo of Sandia tricked their way into owning the property.

In 1994, a company called the "Sandia Business Development Corporation" bought the land and the airport from its original private owner. The owner held out, because he knew that the Pueblo of Sandia wanted to close the airport should it get its hands on the property. When SBDC propositioned him, they stated that they have no connections to the Pueblo of Sandia.

After the land was purchased, SBDC revealed that they had one Shareholder, and that shareholder was the Pueblo of Sandia. From 1994 until 2001, they continually tried to shut down the airport. At that time, the Pueblo of Sandia had a casino, but it was just a tent in the middle of the Pueblo.

Their idea was to build a casino across the road from the airport, in such a way that would completely obstruct the approach end of runway 17. Since the airport was open, they were unable to build it right there. The Pueblo of Sandia claimed that a drainage ditch was causing safety concerns for the airport, and that it would eventually consume the runway.

Coronado_NM_00.jpg


Notice how small the ditch is.

The FAA worked with Sandia, giving suggestions to them to avoid closure, including running a pipe under the end of runway 35, and even shortening the runway by about 1500 feet. Instead, the Pueblo of Sandia issued the following public statement.

Pueblo of Sandia said:
Sandia Business Development Corporation (SBDC), a federally chartered corporation whose sole shareholder is the Pueblo of Sandia, has decided to end flight operations at the Coronado Airport in north Albuquerque.

The SBDC purchased the Coronado Airport as an investment in 1994, with plans to eventually redevelop the property. "We have always known that the flight operations would have to cease someday, but in the end, safety concerns forced the decision," said Frank Chaves, President of SBDC. In July, SBDC entered into an agreement with AMAFCA and Mesa Development Corporation to channelize the La Cueva and El Camino Arroyos and remove portions of the airport property from the floodplain. The project requires the construction of a 50-foot wide drainage channel across the Coronado Airport runway to tie into AMAFCA's box culverts at I-25. "At first, our conversations with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Airport Fixed Based Operator indicated that the channel could cross the runway 400 feet north of the southern property line with little impact on flight operations. Then, some of the pilots and the State Aviation Division raised serious safety concerns. "The public's safety is our priority," says Chaves.

Recognizing that local pilots have a great interest in continued flight operations at Coronado Airport, the SBDC explored possible options, including cost sharing with State Aviation to repair the runway and construct a crossing structure over the drainage channel. None of the options explored are economically viable, given the airport's physical limitations. The airport runway simply cannot be extended nor its activities expanded because it is landlocked by a cemetery on the south and Tramway Road on the north and is constrained by adjacent residential growth. The facilities have deteriorated over the years, and would require a significant capital investment to continue operations at the current level. "Given the economic realities and the safety concerns, we could not justify continued flight operations," says Chaves.

The Coronado Airport will close on November 30, 2001.
Click to expand...

And then, to make sure nothing could change their decision, immediately after November 30th, the Pueblo expanded a small ditch to the south of the airport, to make it immense, and right through the end of the runway.
Coronado_NM_aerial_03.jpg


The pueblo built their grand Casino now, but they built it in such a way as to not obstruct either runway's approaches.

The Plan
I want to find a way to convince the Pueblo of Sandia that reopening the airport would be good for their business. The airport is within walking distance (or shuttle distance, if one started) from their casino. By reopening the airport, and marketing it as a possible retreat for pilots, I think they could make some serious money. Of course, not right away, but in time.

Albuquerque is sorely in need of another airport, as the traffic at Double Eagle gets so intense sometimes, its impossible to get on the Unicom frequency.

What suggestions can anyone give me to show them the opportunity they are missing out on? Michael suggested stats from Jean, NV (which I guess is a casino based airport). Does anyone have anything else? I've never approached a big mean corporation before with suggestions, so I don't know exactly how to begin.

Thank you for your time.
 
Boy, Nick, that's asking the impossible.

I know where the airport is, and I know the kind of development that's going on in that corridor. I suspect it won't be long before that land is worth far more as (multiple) office buildings.

I'll give you any other thoughts as they come to me.

bill
 
Nick,

They indicated safety concerns and added costs for constructing the ditch differently in in their response regarding closure. Do you have reasons to believe they had other motivation? Understanding their perspective would be key before moving forward with any pitch. (ala Covey..."seek to understand before being understood") AOPA Airport Support Network may be a good resource to check with as they've dealt with many similar issues, possibly this very one.

Good luck!
 
The main reason I believe otherwise is because they had been fighting for years to get the original owner to sell the property to them so they could close the airport and build their casino adjacent to the property.

By using the ditch as their main focus for shutting down the airport, they shifted the focus off of the casino, and onto safety. This was right after September 11th, so mentioning the word "Safety" in anything having to do with aviation would have brought little opposition, even in this case where they were talking about safety in regards to the ditch.

Could be a little bit of conspiracy theory on my part, but most people around here who are familiar with the situation take it the same way I do.

I've also moved beyond just assigning blame, and instead, want to find a way to convince them that they could really use the airport to help their cause.

How do I get ahold of the Airport Support Network?
 
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Laughlin, NV is probably the closest example I could suggest; small airport adjacent to a major gambling center in the middle of no where. You might ask the Laughlin FBO or airport authority to provide high roller flight stats? Of course, you should realize this is not in Laughlin's best interest so they might decline to assist you.
 
This would be a big undertaking. BIG!!! It's all about financials, right? That's all they want to know. In line with what has been already suggested I suggest you prepare some spread sheets derived from comparison studies of aprts of similar size, location, and owners. Any projections you introduce need supporting data. Having gotten all the information you need to present it and yourself in a very professional manner. Think before going public with this. You don't want to create or further deepen a schism 'tween the public and the private corp.

There is a tribe in the foothills near Porterville, CA whose gaming VP is a pilot and which wants open a rwy to serve their main casino. I think the BLM is there only hurdle left.
 
NickDBrennan said:
Albuquerque is sorely in need of another airport, as the traffic at Double Eagle gets so intense sometimes, its impossible to get on the Unicom frequency.

What suggestions can anyone give me to show them the opportunity they are missing out on? Michael suggested stats from Jean, NV (which I guess is a casino based airport). Does anyone have anything else? I've never approached a big mean corporation before with suggestions, so I don't know exactly how to begin.

Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...

My best suggestion would be to see if you can get the airport traffic statistics to see how much business comes into Bullhead City AZ airport for Laughlin. If Don Laughlin is around, you may ask for his insight. He is a proponent of aviation. You may even bring up the potential for a 135/121 carrier servicing the airport. As you realize it's all about $$$, so show them the money.
 
Check out the airport at Tunica, MS (UTA). Growing like a weed. They have room deals with all the casino hotels. Beautiful new terminal and runway, etc.

Bo
 
Nick, Henning is right. Show them the $$$. G-d bless you if you decide to take this on yourself. My suggestion might be obvious but why not get AOPA involved. Speak to HQ and your regional AOPA rep. Why reinvent the wheel when you don't have to.

As for what you can do, everyone gave good suggestions. get DOT figures, the NM department of Economic Development or some similiar department. Get testimonials from other resorts near airports ie gastons, Amana Etc.

BTW being from back east I'm not sure what a Publeo is. I remember from School it was an indian excuse me native american village. I take it from your post that it is some sort of political subdivision like a township, city or borough?
 
AdamZ said:
BTW being from back east I'm not sure what a Publeo is. I remember from School it was an indian excuse me native american village. I take it from your post that it is some sort of political subdivision like a township, city or borough?
Click to expand...

The Sandia Pueblo used to be called the Sandia Reservation. I think they started taking offense to the term reservation or something, so they started with "The Pueblo of Sandia." Generally, I always thought that Pueblos were villages of adobe houses. Guess not anymore.

But - Reservations are run as if they are their own nation. They own their land, don't pay US taxes, and are governed by their own rules.

I sent an email to AOPA, I just hope I sent it to the right people.
 
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