OSU officials' plans are crystallizing to expand Don Scott Field in Worthington to double the length of its north runway, add hangers and one new building, and make general renovations around the airport.
The expansion has been considered since 2000, but every step of the way it has been met with criticism, especially by residents of Worthington.
Some question marks remain regarding whether an expansion will disturb the community or environment. Residents say traffic around the airport will increase.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, a study completed in June says that average noise readings are under the maximum level needed for a project to take place, but some citizens have objected to the study, saying they did not agree with how the noises were averaged and that the measuring tools might have malfunctioned during the process.
Officials had claimed that a longer runway would cut down on the noise pollution of the area because planes would use less power taking off and landing, but some residents of the area, especially those right in the flight path, are not convinced.
The bottom line is that the expansion does not adequately consider the concerns of Worthington citizens. Don Scott Field is ranked 5th in the state in terms of takeoffs and landings. Thousands of noise complaints have been filed in Worthington and even surrounding areas, such as Riverlea, the village to the south of the airport.
Don Scott Field houses 230 aircraft, which are mostly in use by students, businesses and residents. According to The Dispatch, critics say the expansion could convert the field into more and more of a "corporate jet center" - additions that residents would not be pleased with based on their complaints that the area is already too disruptive. Riverlea's mayor, Mary Jo Cusack, wrote a letter to the The Dispatch saying her residents' complaints were consistently ignored by the airport and were discouraged from working with the advisory committee analyzing the pros and cons of expansion.
And if the goal for the expansion is not corporate in nature, then where is the need for an expansion in the first place? Columbus has three airports, Port Columbus International Airport, Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field, who more than fill the need for air travel to and from Columbus. People flying into Columbus do not need an additional air field to service their travel needs. Port Columbus is barely flown into, as it is.
Ultimately, the potential for additional air traffic and noise problems in Worthington greatly outweighs the benefits the unnecessary addition would give to corporations and Ohio State.
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