Buses don’t need runways
If buses could fly then it would make sense that the only suitable location for a county bus terminal would be at the Connellsville Airport. But buses don’t fly. That’s a silly idea. Almost as foolish as the Fayette County Commissioners’ insistence that $1.6 million be spent to build a new facility when a fine substitute could be had for $625,000 less.
A transportation consultant for the county this week recommended that commissioners switch gears on plans to build a bus terminal for FACT (Fayette Area Coordinated Transportation) on the airport’s campus. A much better alternative, according to the consultant, would be to purchase the former Anheuser-Busch distribution center formerly owned by Mark Thompson Inc., located just a couple miles south of the airport on Connellsville Street.
The building is large enough to accommodate FACT, has all the necessary utilities on site and is in move-in condition. In just the time necessary to close on the deal, the county would have solved its problem in warehousing FACT under one roof, in a convenient location, and would have met the timetable for using a grant. Commissioner Ron Nehls saw the advantages to this, but he was shot down by commissioners Vince Vicites and Sean Cavanagh.
Instead they will continue to embark upon the airport plan, even though it has been repeatedly delayed because of problems, on the flimsy reasoning that the airport property needs to grow and become a transportation hub.
Cavanagh even went so far as to say that with a major PGA event coming to Nemacolin Woodlands the airport is going to be used and expanded. Does he really think those flying in on private jets will want to check the public bus schedules for a ride up the mountains?
What Cavanagh and Vicites envision is a growing, thriving airport once the runway is expanded. They would like to see restaurants and other businesses cropping up along its grounds. It’s a lofty goal and one that should be applauded. So why would they want to take 4.3 acres away from development to build an expensive public terminal when another alternative might be better?