We’ve already got a small airport in Ankeny as well as the Des Moines International Airport, so why on earth do we need a regional airport in Dallas County?

This proposal would not benefit the community as a whole and would be a poor use of taxpayer dollars:

The first phase of the project is expected to cost about $25 million. Subsequent phases will add a crosswind runway. Airport authority members have said the first aircraft would take off no earlier than 2011.

The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to pay for about 75 percent of the airport’s construction.

The runway layout approved on Tuesday differs from those in several previous proposals. The main runway would lie on a north-south line to minimize the impact on neighbors, Hefner said.

Regardless, property owners and representatives from Dallas Center and Waukee reiterated their disdain for the project. Both cities have passed resolutions opposing it. West Des Moines has also decided not to contribute financially.

Adel is the only city in the immediate area to support the airport plan.

Waukee City Administrator Jeff Kooistra said an airport would provide little help to the area economy.

A few businesses would benefit from the Metro West Airport’s construction, but it’s not worth the cost.

For background information, check out this website created by Dallas County citizens who oppose the airport. The site could use updating, but the basic information is there.