Airport Advisory Board Overcome with Spacex Euphoria~Secretary Blocks Flow of Information

A toy rocket made of NERF, non- expanded recreational foam, placed in the upright position in front of each board member, set the tone for Tuesday's Airport Advisory Board Meeting.  More about the Spacex tie-in later.

A secretary stopped Nena on the way into the room, seemingly trying to dissuade us from attending: "We're not having our normal meeting today.  They're just taking the new members on a tour of the airport."

Meanwhile, Aviation Director Larry Brown was saying:  "Hi.  Find yourselves seats."  The visitor's table was covered with styrofoam containers, each containing a sandwich, a tray of Lay's chips and fritos to one side.

First order of business was the swearing in of new board member Ed Rivera by Chairman Manuel Alcocer, then a film commemorating the 75th anniversary of the airport in 2004.  The other new member, Eddie Trevino, was likely sworn in at the previous meeting.

Although this was not a normal meeting, board members were given an information packet.  When board member John Chosy heard me ask for one, he handed me his.  A secretary intercepted, saying:  "No, that's confidential." Nena had earlier asked the secretary for the information packet.  She was told "No!" and offered the short agenda instead.

It's difficult to write a story without facts, figures, names.  We've been through this with several city boards.  The Brownsville Metro Advisory Board gives us the same handouts issued to board members. The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation gives us a neat packet with numbered tabs marking the supplementary information addressed on the agenda.  The Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation gives us the agenda only, actually preferring we not attend.  

"We have room for 15," announced Aviation Director Larry Brown as members boarded a blue shuttle bus. Nena and I were just able to squeeze into the rear seat.  We're not certain how the 15 passenger van is utilized by the airport, but its air conditioning does not work.

As we passed the two passenger loading bridges, Larry Brown stated: "They're both working now."   I

turned to Operation's Chief Sesha Voorey, sitting next to me, holding a walkie talkie, and whispered:  "That was meant for me." Voorey nodded. I had reported in the past of the bridges being extremely porous during rains, smelling of mildew with buckets strategically placed to catch the water.

Brown, turning to face the majority, gave a running commentary on the numerous industrial buildings in the complex, the old Levi's Building, the Haggar Building, etc.  Brown knows each building's history, when it was built, when the company left to find cheaper labor in China, how the building is used now. At least a couple large industrial buildings are now owned by the City of Brownsville and used for storage.

Fisher Corporation

The Fisher Corporation still occupies one building, stamping out parts for Detroit.  "I'm certain we all remember 'Body by Fisher' stamped on every Chevrolet," Brown offered.  "Well, this company is still making auto parts for Detroit."

We passed a hanger with a handful of private planes, then an old upholstery shop due to be replaced.  Next to a commercial air strip with various companies having a small warehouse and loading dock.  On one of the many grassy fields was a sign:  "Hay for Sale."

"This is our dual customs building, 24/7 customs for Mexico and the United States," explained Brown. 

Next, the bus headed out to Hwy 4(Boca Chica), then went south on FM 511. Brown explained that this section of FM 511 would soon be replaced with a new road to the east.   As we drove past farmland, Brown showed properties purchased to provide room for the proposed 15,000 ft. runway.  "We still let the farmer raise a crop on this plot, but we split the proceeds."  Pointing to yet another adjacent property, Brown stated:  "That will be where the new 15,000 ft. runway will end."

"All of this could not be done without Spacex coming to this area.  This is an $83,000,000 project. The City of Brownsville doesn't have the money for it.  We have to show the FAA we have an actual need to extend the runway for them to participate in the funding.  Spacex gives us that need."

The tour was informative, the commentary cheerful, hopeful.  The huge amount of underutilized, wasted industrial spaces was somewhat depressing.  During the two hour tour, we were not aware of a single private, commercial or military plane taking off or landing.