Tag Archives: McKinney

economic news, local news

McKinney airport to expand … but, why?

Perhaps there’s something that has sailed over my pointy head, but I’ll ask anyway: What is it that prevents McKinney Mayor George Fuller from accepting “no” from voters about expanding McKinney National Airport?

Fuller says he intends to spend budgeted money to expand the airport and introduce commercial air travel to the facility by 2026. He says this despite voters in his city twice refusing bond issues that called for the airport expansion.

I must stipulate I do not live in McKinney.  My home in Princeton is about six miles east of the airport and, yes, I do drive past the airport frequently as I scurry about on local errands. I also must stipulate that I do not necessarily oppose expanding the airport and I would welcome commercial air travel from a nearby terminal rather than driving all the way to D/FW International Airport or Love Field.

But the issue isn’t mine to decide.

According to the Princeton Herald: “Fuller said the city would use $60 million in bonds secured by airport sales tax revenue to fund construction of a 45,000-square foot passenger terminal and a parking lot for about 1,500 vehicles. The project manager said the size would vary according to tenant needs.”

Voters scuttled a $200 bond issue in May 2023 and rejected a smaller proposal in 2015.

I recall the 2023 campaign and opponents were clear that they didn’t want to see an increase in traffic in their city.

Does the new idea pitched by Fuller mean a return to those concerns? I don’t know. I do believe, though, that the mayor might be prompting some backlash from voters if they continue to resist calls for an expansion that could bring those concerns back into play.

If voters say “no,” that should stand as their decision.

local news

Flaps up in McKinney?

Voters in the next-door city of McKinney, Texas, are going to vote this week on a measure to expand the city’s airport to include commercial air travel.

I wish I could cast a vote this coming Saturday on this measure, which is a $200 million bond issue to add four gates to McKinney National Airport, expand the runway and build some parking lots. I would vote in favor of it … despite the organized opposition that is building against the plan.

There is something appealing to me, who lives in Princeton (about five miles east of the airport) to be able to drive just a short distance to catch a flight to — oh, I don’t know — somewhere, rather than drive all the way to Love Field or to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

I haven’t a clue as to whether this bond issue will pass voters’ muster. Opponents complain about the increase in traffic, congestion, noise and assorted other issues related to boosting air travel in the area.

McKinney Mayor George Fuller, though, talks about the huge job creation and the enormous economic impact an expanded National Airport will have on McKinney and the surrounding communities … such as, oh, Princeton! He also points out that H-E-B grocers are building a store in McKinney and that, too, will bring lots of traffic to the city.

There. I’ve had my say on that matter. I won’t be able to vote on it. I just thought it would be worth mentioning that I am going to cheer for the airport expansion with the hope that it will bring greater amenities to the city I call home.

johnkanelis_92@hotmail.com