Would Have Been Held At Little-Used Airport In The Florida Swamp

Miami-Dade County, FL Mayor Carlos Gimenez had some pretty grand plans for an air show to be held at a never-finished but operational airport in what is now the Big Cypress National Preserve. But those plans have since sunk as if in quicksand in the swamp.

The airport, now known as the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, was constructed in the early 1970s, according to the Miami International airport website. The airport was originally called the Everglades Jetport, and the initial runway at the site was planned as the replacement runway for Miami International Airport to serve South Florida. But environmental concerns in the late 1970s to early 1980s stopped further development of the facility. The 24,960-acre property has approximately 900 acres of developed and operational land. The remaining area is managed and operated by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission. Since its original configuration, the airport's most notable enhancements have been a runway overlay and lighting upgrade in 1992, costing $3.5 million, and taxiway rejuvenation in 1996, costing $100,000. The Miami-Dade Aviation Department is exploring a variety of opportunities to generate revenue at TNT.

The Miami New Times reports that Mayor Gimenez got his idea from the Paris Air Show. He thought it would be a great idea to hold a similar show at the little-used airport.

But environmentalists once again took up the cause, saying such a large event, even one held every other year, would have a major adverse impact on the Everglades ecosystem.

While Mayor Gimenez has backed down, he not given up on the idea of the show. But is now looking at the Homestead Air Reserve Base as the venue. 

As for the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. At least one person thinks it should be demolished completely. Wilderness photographer Roger Hammer told the paper that tearing out the one existing runway would discourage future politicians from "getting any other stupid, or even stupider, ideas."

FMI: http://www.miami-airport.com/dade_collier.asp