Up in the sky, its a bird its a plane its an ear of corn, its… ugly

No matter what CityBarbs or the Daily Chronicle or even what Edward W or I write, the public debate will likely be about whether Corn Fest is downtown or at the airport. Paid parking creates a bit of a stir. What’s at issue is far more important than location or parking but we’re talking about a party.

Downtown or at the airport? In this economy we can’t afford to win the emotional argument on location. Answers must be fiscally responsible for all concerned.

An accurate answer is based on facts. One fact is that a State Block Grant airport like DTMA must be in compliance with its grant assurances. Another, and it seems doubly important in a self-insured city, is any temporary structures like ferris wheels and other carnival rides “must be coordinated as per FAR Part 77 and studied by FAA for potential impacts to air navigation for the remaining open airport facilities.”

If the FAA is contacted prior to the event taking place there are great benefits to the State Block Grant airport and its local taxpayers. First and foremost compliance removes the risk of having to repay any grants. Following the rules eliminates the airport staff and/or advisory board from looking like jerks for requiring the event promoters to pay Fair Market Value fees for use of the airport for non-airport related activities because, well, its the law.

Good people don’t break the law, do they?

Since compliance means that those Fair Market Value revenues must be put into the airport’s operational budget hosting a community event can reduce the usual deficit number found on the bottom line of most airports. That means something to concerned taxpayers.

Most airport authorities, good ones anyway, appreciate it too.

So the $5 parking fee is creating a stir. Especially among those who preferred the downtown location. Parking was free downtown. Had FAA compliance been considered when the airport was a proposed location accurate information would have driven the decision process.

Instead Corn Fest 2011 has about a month to brand $5 parking to a community historically not so warm to such an idea. Ask the Convocation Center about introducing paid event parking to this market.

The public’s investment in the DTMA must be protected and managed much more thoroughly and professionally than has been displayed.