Scottsdale, Ariz., Airport Wall Project Clear For Takeoff

Aug. 16--Scottsdale Airport officials say another wall is needed to help protect nearby businesses from jet blasts.

The Scottsdale Airport Advisory Commission recommended unanimously last week to build a 15-foot-high, 600-foot-long concrete wall on the northwest corner of the airport, in response to debris and jet fuel fume complaints from nearby tenants.

The wall would cost $247,646, paid for by a Federal Aviation Administration grant.

It would be the third blast wall in the Scottsdale Airpark; walls on the southeast and northeast corners were constructed last year.

The second was a 12-foothigh, 100-foot-long wall on the northeast corner of the airport. It was paid for with a $30,000 grant, after tenant Xyron threatened to sue.

The labeling and laminating manufacturer got some relief after the wall went in, according to Xyron spokesman Jason Pfaff. He said the company is in the process of relocating.

"We had about $80,000 of material in the scrap pile because of dust," Pfaff said. "They built the wall and it helped a lot, but fumes still went over the wall. That's part of the reason (for a move). We're downsizing, but we're trying to get our employees away from the situation."

Scottsdale City Councilman Jim Lane, a member of the council's aviation subcommittee, said the cost of the proposed wall concerns him, although FAA funding can only be used for the purpose it's applied for.

"It is a fairly big chunk of change," Lane said. "I don't know if this wall will be ready for a hit from a missile or what. Just because it's federal funds, we don't want to abuse them. Still, there is a reasonable reason to build it."

A former tenant of the area, Cold Stone Creamery, which recently relocated to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, issued the most complaints.

Chris Read, assistant aviation director, said a holding area where jets await takeoff is the cause of the problem. The area is about 200 feet from, and perpendicular to, the buildings in which Cold Stone was located.

From January to July, Scottsdale Airport had 62,340 takeoffs.

The wall would replace an interim chain-link and barbed wire fence with screening over it. The measure goes to the City Council on Aug. 25.

Kevin Donnellan, spokesman for Cold Stone, said there were 20 to 25 employee complaints over five years. He said the company made several attempts to work with the airport on alternatives.

Donnellan added that debris, fumes and noise were factors in Cold Stone's move. "We revel in the glory of not being next to an airstrip," he said.

Kathleen Matthews, co-manager of North Scottsdale Dialysis, located next to the vacant Cold Stone property, said colleagues who have worked in the office haven't noticed problems.

Matt Arganbright, president of Nativescapes Landscaping in the plaza across from Cold Stone, agreed and said another wall is a waste of money.