Large Crowd Expected for Airport Resolution Hearing

A hearing to gather input from both sides regarding the possible commercialization of Briscoe Field will be held at 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville.

At its April 19 meeting, the to remove commercial service as an option if Briscoe Field is privatized. The resolution was tabled until May 3 to allow time for a public hearing.

Due to the high level of interest, commissioners have elected to hold the hearing at 12Stone due to the fact the church’s auditorium is larger than the one at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center.

A flyer distributed by Citizens for a Better Gwinnett (C4BG) describes the hearing as the “last chance for public input to stop commercial aircraft” and asks the public to “help us stop the commission from making another mistake like Coolray Field.”

C4BG has requested the county remove passenger jet service and freight operations at the Lawrenceville airport from consideration.

The county has not yet issued a request for proposals (RFP) for any airport related projects, but did issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) last year for firms interested in submitting proposals to privatize the airport.

American Airports Corporation, Gwinnett Airport, LLC and Propeller Investments submitted RFQs.

Brett Smith, managing director of Propeller Investments, supports bringing commercial service to Briscoe Field and .

Fly Gwinnett Forward, a group headed by Paula Hastings, Mike Royal and Jimmy Norton, to the Lawrenceville airport.

The public hearing is scheduled for April 28 at 7 p.m. in the 12Stone Church auditorium. 12Stone is located at 1322 Buford Drive in Lawrenceville.