Battle Heats Up Over Briscoe Field Plan

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - A battle is brewing in Gwinnett County over the future of its airport, Briscoe Field. Will it stay small or become an alternative to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport? The Lawrenceville City Council made its wishes clear Monday night.

A proposal is underway to privatize an airport in Gwinnett County. The plan would bring in major commercial airlines.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners proposed that Briscoe Field become private.

The developer says the move would create 20,000 jobs and make it both cheaper and more convenient for people in the area to fly.

Opponents of the move say that allowing the airport to provide commercial and passenger jet service instead of just serving private and corporate traffic would be devastating to the surrounding area.

Those against the plan said that the area surrounding Briscoe Field suffered two fatal airplane crashes from aircraft departing Briscoe and argued that if one of the crashes been a commercial jet the potential loss of life would have been tremendous.

Opponents also argue that the move would mean more noise and cause the property values for homes in the area to fall.