The U.S. Air Force made the right decision when it announced that it will give its former base in Homestead to Dade County but ruled out a commercial airport on the land. The property is sandwiched between two national parks -- Everglades and Biscayne -- and is therefore ill-suited for an airport. It would make little sense to spend nearly $8-billion to begin restoration of the Everglades, which Congress and President Clinton have approved, and then degrade the park with the pollution, noise and urban sprawl an airport would bring.

Now, an alternative development plan can go forward, bringing jobs and an economic boost to Homestead but limiting the impact on the national parks. Collier Resources and Hoover Environmental Group have agreed on a joint plan to build an office park and retail complex on the base property, including a hotel, aquarium and two golf courses. The Air Force and top environmentalists agree that the Collier-Hoover plan would be much less threatening to the Everglades.

As with all political controversies, especially those in Dade County, this issue may not be resolved so easily. The airport proposal was backed by Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas and some influential developers, and they are being sore losers. "We're not going to back down at this point," said Ramon Rasco, attorney for the airport developers.

The county is under no obligation to turn the land over to Collier-Hoover, but the Air Force has been very clear: It doesn't want an airport. In fact, it is retaining ownership of the existing runways just in case. If Dade County doesn't come up with a development proposal that is acceptable to the Air Force within 6 months, ownership of the land would revert to the U.S. Department of Interior. Then no one knows what would happen. Gale Norton, President-elect George W. Bush's pick for Interior Secretary, has a reputation for favoring commercial uses of public land and being soft on environmental protection.

But Mayor Penelas and other Dade County officials should consider the truism about never looking a gift horse in the mouth. The Air Force has made a well-considered decision about its property, one that is supported by a wide variety of homeowner and environmental groups and public officials. Any effort to force the federal government to accept an airport on the land could backfire. Homestead needs an economic boost from the former Air Force base, but it doesn't need an airport.

Back to Opinion

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

From the Times
Opinion page