AIRPORT TAJ MAHAL

It appears that the governing board of the local airport is ready to approve the expenditure of $125 million to build the Taj Mahal of parking ramps.  Only a month ago the members of the Kent County Aeronautics Board, which oversees Gerald R. Ford International Aiport, balked at the price tag.  Little wonder.  The price was double the original estimate, which in turn was double what a run-of-the-mill parking ramp would cost.  Nevertheless, the ramp's designers persuaded the board members that the expensive canopy and skywalks were absolutely necessary.

The cost of the canopy only is estimated at twenty million bucks.  However, Kent County Aeronautics Director Jim Koslosky justifies the expense because without it the parking ramp would dwarf the terminal building and that is "just not going to present a positive image".  Sure, let's avoid ugliness in public architecture.  Heaven knows we need no more steel and glass monstrosities like City Hall and the County Building.  But twenty million to make sure the terminal building gets respect from the parking ramp?  I don't think so.

Even if the pricey canopy and skywalks make sense, how does the aeronautics board justify turning this project over to the group who needs wiggle room of $60 million to get the estimate in the ballpark?  The board owes the taxpayers and the flying public a second opinion on this project before approving it.