The Third Runway: No. 1 threat and priority, says city manager

By JACK HOPKINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The community's biggest fight involves nearby Sea-Tac International Airport and plans to build a third runway. Many Des Moines residents fear it will bring intolerable aircraft noise to this community of towering fir trees, sandy beaches, fishing piers and homes with waterfront views.

"It is the No. 1 threat to our quality of life and is the No. 1 priority of our City Council," says city manager Bob Olander.

So committed is the city to stopping construction of the third runway that it has joined with several neighboring cities and the Highline School District in fighting airport expansion. Des Moines is contributing $700,000 a year to the battle.

"It is a very serious issue with our city," Olander says. "We are worried about the noise and its impact on the schools and residential property values. . . . We don't want to become a kind of jet ghetto."

"Most folks in other communities probably think this is just the typical not-in-my-backyard syndrome," adds Mike Waters, director of the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. "But it is more than that. If we have a third runway, the planes will take off and go right over our downtown and our waterfront.

"All of the things that we have here that are beautiful won't be as enjoyable if you can't stand next to somebody and talk to them because there is a plane flying overhead."

Olander is hopeful the third runway eventually will die of its own financial weight or a realization that getting to and from the airport will be such a traffic problem that some airlines will become more interested in satellite airports.

There has been a proliferation of "No 3rd Runway" signs on lawns throughout the area. That hasn't brought joy to the hearts of a real estate community concerned that the threat of noisy planes will be overstated and affect housing sales.