US Airways Offers Compromise On Towers Near Sky Harbor

Tempe, AZ-based US Airways has asked city officials not to erect 300 foot towers near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport... making the airline the sole critic of the plan.

And that's not all. As representatives with US Airways listed problems it had with the development at a meeting last week, several elected officials and a local businessowner berated the airline for apparent contradictions, and called the air carrier an uncompromising "bully."

The fight to build towers of up to 300-feet tall has become perhaps the most contentious and confusing battle over a Tempe development in years, as city officials delayed a City Council vote on making a decision to build the towers. Scottsdale-based 3W Cos. is on tap to build the towers, if the project is approved in a January 10 council vote.

US Airways asserts the towers could pose a safety threat -- if a plane had an emergency on take-off, the towers would be in their flight path. "Any buildings taller than 257-feet would threaten planes in the rare event an airplane failed during takeoff from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)," US Airways attorney Stephen Earl said.

The airline wants a maximum "good neighbor height" of 225 feet, added US Airways spokesman John MacDonald. The airline offered a compromise: three towers of no more than 257 feet, instead of two taller 300–foot towers.

Opposition by the airline to the original plan triggered more criticism.

"I'm disappointed our hometown airline can't compromise," Councilwoman Onnie Shekerjian said. "We have a bully among our midst."

Paul Gilbert, an attorney for 3W Cos. accused the airline of hedging its bets, "there's a blatant inconsistency here."

The argument stems from a historic adobe home built in 1871 -- now home to Monti's La Casa Vieja restaurant, and the Valley's oldest building. Under the plan, the building would be preserved and the towers would stand next to it as a landmark.

US Airways protested and filed a complaint with the city which requires six out of seven "yes" votes instead of the usual four out of seven. Councilman Ben Arredondo opposes the current buildings as too tall, meaning that all of the remaining council members must vote to support the project.

La Casa Vieja owner Michael Monti said changing times have threatened his historic restaurant, adding that the development is the only way to let him keep his business and preserve the adobe building.

"This is our life," Monti said. "It's a decimal point for US Airways."

FMI: http://phoenix.gov/skyharborairport/