Politics & Government

Propeller Airports Submits Only Briscoe Field Bid

The group previously has sought to provide commercial flights. No details of the proposal are known at this time.

There's only one choice for Gwinnett County Commissioners to make if Briscoe Field is to be privatized: Propeller Airports Briscoe Field, Inc.

That group was the only firm to respond to the county's Request For Proposals by Wednesday's deadline. The RFP was issued in December after much discussion by commissioners and public discourse that still continues.

No details of the proposal are available; it is being evaluated, according to county spokesperson Joe Sorenson. There also is no known timetable for making a decision.

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However, before the RFP process began, Propeller had indicated it wanted to begin commercial passenger flights at the county-owned airport. Briscoe Field is located in Lawrenceville and is currently a general aviation airport.

District 1 Commissioner Shirley Lasseter, whose district includes Duluth, thinks a private operator could improve the airport's economic performance.Β "I don't believe Gwinnett County needs to be running an airport," she said.

Find out what's happening in Duluthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Proponents of privatization -- which would not necessarily mean commercial flights -- see it as a way to improve the airport's economic performance and to reinvigorate the county's economy. Most of the vocal opposition comes from residents who live near the airport concerned about flight noise and declining property values.


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