RIAC & Warwick City Council reach agreement on airport runway expansion

Providence Business News has information on the agreement between the Warwick City Council and the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) which will allow the runway expansion project at T.F. Green to finally move forward.

The agreement includes details on which houses in the area will be taken or sound-proofed, provisions to relocate a ball field which will be taken by the expansion, agreements on monitoring air and water in the area, and signage and promotional materials about Warwick.

Press release from RIAC:

Rhode Island Airport Corporation approves memorandum of understanding with City of Warwick

WARWICK, RI - March 1, 2012 The Rhode Island Airport Corporation’s (RIAC) Board of Directors voted today in a special session to approve the Memorandum of Understanding, which was adopted last night by the Warwick City Council.

Governor Lincoln Chafee, who attended the Board meeting, was pleased to see a positive conclusion. “Our economic development efforts in Rhode Island are directly tied to a successful airport that is competitive. As a former Mayor of Warwick and member of the City Council, I understand more than most that this was not easy for the city. I applaud their efforts and willingness to sit at the table with RIAC to come to decisions that are in the best interest of the city of Warwick and the State of Rhode Island. I am committed to these efforts that will create jobs, further the economy and put us on track for success.”

Dr. Kathleen Hittner, Chair of the RIAC Board, said, “We are pleased that the understanding, voted on last night by the Warwick City Council, has ended months of indecision. While we recognize the Federal Aviation Administration has the final approval, we feel confident, that we will be able to move forward shortly with funding applications for the important airport improvement projects included in the EIS. I would like to personally thank the Mayor and the City Council for working with us to make this possible and the RIAC Board and the Governor for all of their support.”

Kevin A. Dillon, RIAC President and CEO, said, “One of my top priorities since assuming the leadership position at RIAC, was to ensure the appropriate infrastructure was in place to allow T. F. Green to be competitive, while working with the city to address their concerns on quality of life issues. I feel this understanding is a successful culmination to a difficult process and I am thankful for all the support from the elected leaders, the business community and labor. It was truly a cooperative effort.”