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The following makes for some interesting reading...The property is still vacant with NOTHING having been started yet.
PARAGON PROPERTY NEWS
Senator talks cargo airport
BY JIM DINO
TIMES • Shamrock Writer
jimdino@standardspeaker.com
02/23/2008
HAZLETON — Whether projects to allow airports in Pittsburgh and New York to handle cargo will compete with a proposed cargo airport near Hazleton will be determined by a study already under way, a state senator said. Sen. Ray Musto, D-14, told a Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Red Carpet Breakfast crowd Thursday morning that the study will indicate whether it makes sense to build the $1.6 billion cargo-only airport. The airport would be located in southwestern Luzerne and northeastern Schuylkill counties.
The Senate, Musto said, directed its Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study the economic impact of the proposed cargo airport on the Hazleton area and the potential risks and benefits to the state in providing economic development funds to support the project. Martin Associates, a Lancaster-based planning and analysis firm being paid $195,196 to conduct the study, must report back to the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee by June 30. “If the report comes back positive, then it’s full speed ahead” with the airport, Musto said.
Musto said state funding — $5 million from the Commonwealth Financing Authority — has already been approved for the first phase of a $22 million project to create a cargo facility at the old Greater Pittsburgh Airport. And the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is taking over the lease on Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y., and will add a new terminal and parking so the airport that served about 300,000 passengers last year can accommodate 1.5 million. It will also take on additional cargo business.
However, a spokesman for the Port Authority said that even if Stewart International takes more planes, the Hazleton proposal could remain viable because the demand for freight traffic is growing every year. Gladstone Partners, the developer proposing the airport, issued a news release in response to Musto’s speech.
“Gladstone Partners begs to differ with Senator Musto,” the statement said. “We firmly believe the creation of an international port in our back yard will be of great benefit to the economic status and quality of life of everyone who lives, works and plays in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”Gladstone expects to have preliminary engineering plans ready for April 1.
“We have been meeting and working with the Pennsylvania Department of Aviation and Department of Environmental Protection,” the release said. “In addition, we have met with local agencies from which initial approvals will be required and expect to submit the preliminary engineering plans to them on or about April 1 so they may begin their review and approval process. The engineering plan is being developed by URS, one of the largest aviation engineers in the world.”
Musto noted the Federal Aviation Administration has “not signed off on the need for the airport, nor have they given it their approval.”
Gladstone said in its statement “the initial approval needed from the FAA was a determination as to the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace. This was requested and has been granted to Gladstone.”
Jim Peters of the FAA’s New York office said the agency only approved a feasibility study, and that the administration has no opinion about the proposal. Musto pointed out that no major carrier has stepped forward to locate or become a major tenant at the proposed cargo airport.
“This is a critical component of the project, given its scope, expense and impact on the taxpayer,” the senator said, adding that Gladstone’s role in the financing and long-term operations of the airport is “publicly unspecified.”
Gladstone said in its release that it is working with prospective tenants/carriers for the airport and an international firm is handling financing. “Financing options and structures are being addressed by JP Morgan, which has international relationships and stature. Tenant opportunities are being reviewed by Jacobs-Consultancy. Gladstone Partners has received letters of interest from international and national airport operators along with letters of interest from some of the largest investment firms in the world.”
On the subject of financing, Musto said that if the facility was funded half by the public sector and half by the private sector, the government would have to float bond issues to pay for it. The state, Musto said, would have to float a $500,000 bond, which, ever if it were A rated, would probably carry an interest rate of 5 percent.
Meanwhile, the airport would hold up all other county projects, including those proposed by CAN DO and others across Luzerne County, totaling more than $87 million, Musto said. This week, commissioners in Luzerne County said an airport commission that was to study the proposal likely would not form.
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Just amazing !
When it's all said and done they could have done this for nothing.
Thanks for the update, Rick.
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Exactally......Seems like alot of things were NOT cleared with the proper authorities officially.
Only time will tell.
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http://blogs.fourwheeler.com/6233541/features/breaking-news/index.html
More interesting Paragon-related news
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Well, Kyle & Stephanie are moving on and BACK into was drives their ambitions.
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I'm happy for Kyle and Stephanie!! It's good to know that they've moved on and found something to fill the hole left by Paragon's demise.
Do I see a club "road trip" in the future.... ;D
Erica
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700+ miles ONE WAY......
Can YOU handle that ?
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That's like $250.00 in fuel alone to get there for me.....GOOD LORD
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I did the trip last year to meet up with my Michigan friends. It was very long. I don't have a great history of driving my Jeep back home in operating conditions which made the fun time a little more stressful.
Joe
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It's nice to see that Karma is potentially going to bite those people. I hope it doesn't work out in their favor and then they have empty land. Do you think anyone will jump at the chance to be a tenant of thiers after seeing how they treated Kyle?
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Ok...well maybe a club "VACATION"? ;D
erica
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If anyone does want to jump into that same situation that Kyle did......They really need to have there head examined. Next year might be a good time for a club "vacation" trip.
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BUT, if the entire operation comes to amount to NOTHING.......IT could offer an opportunity.....Planned and written correctly.
An OUTRIGHT purchase of the land is what I'm suggesting.
TIME WILL TELL THE STORY...!
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BTW- I've made myself known with several contacts of those opposing this, and there are many who oppose in the area....MANY
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well, what's the property for sale for? how much $$$ do they want?
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With this "potential" airport deal in the works you won't find anyone willing to sell and/or accept an offer for that property. Perhaps when I'm walking with a cane 20 years from now and the land is still vacant....Maybe, just maybe.
I'm just reading and finding out that this entire project was NEVER given FULL approval from the community, all State representatives, or a number of other key organizations prior to evicting PARAGON.
As stated earlier......................TIME WILL TELL
Honestly, I hope they accomplish NOTHING but emptying their pockets. Hey, then I can say "You should have bought a Jeep", would have cost you a lot less money, but would have ran the same course.........
J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket
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amen to that! i just looked up prices on a D60 r - D44 front combo and i still have palpitations.....
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When I started looking at Jeeps over a year ago I read great things about Paragon. It was the premier 4x4 park on the East Coast. I got excited about going to this place then I started reading about how they were in trouble. Got really bummed out. I feel like Rick does and I hope nothing every comes of this airport.
Speaking of Badlands. NAXJA had their Winter Ride there in Feb. this year.
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slain,
The "Badlands" Park is similar to what Paragon was (VERY POPULAR), but 700 miles away from us versus only 125 to where Paragon was :'( Kyle & Stephanie will no doubt build on what is already in place. I certainly wish them well.
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When I started looking at Jeeps over a year ago I read great things about Paragon. It was the premier 4x4 park on the East Coast. I got excited about going to this place then I started reading about how they were in trouble. Got really bummed out. I feel like Rick does and I hope nothing every comes of this airport.
Speaking of Badlands. NAXJA had their Winter Ride there in Feb. this year.
Ditto, never got the chance to ride at Paragon. Saw them at the Jeep Show and got really excited about going. 700 miles is a little far for a weekend ride for me.
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More interesting reading. Apparently the locals don't want a cargo airport in their backyard....http://www.republicanherald.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19404232&BRD=2626&PAG=461&dept_id=532624&rfi=6
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Very interesting reading...Everything in there is exactally what I suspected, a "Pork Barrell" project formulated by "piss-poor" District Representation who ONLY saw "short-term" area income to construct something that would never be used and ultimately will NOT be constructed. I knew it...I knew it...I knew it...!!!
All they have managed to accomplish thus far is take away $1,200,000.00 of income to the area generated by those that enjoyed PARAGON ADVENTURE PARK.
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A little more...http://www.republicanherald.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=19513342&BRD=2626&PAG=461&dept_id=536271&rfi=8
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This will keep you busy....http://www.pahouse.com/Eachus/Airport.asp
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This is an example of "lobbyists" at work to the fullest. I'm glad to read that the area cimmunities are standing "firm" against the project as I suspected.
It's a shame that townships have lost the 1.5 million in revenue generated each year by the 4x4 enthusiasts who used to flock the area to enjoy PARAGON Adventure Park during this drawn out process.
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That kills me. They took away guaranteed income for speculative/potential income. Only thinking short-term gains will bite you every time. I'm glad that their project is stalled. I'm also glad to see the communities voices what they think instead of sitting back and being quite.
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a couple of months ago, I and the president of of our club, Big Rubbers Custom 4x4 club, had a meeting with State Senator John Wozniak,( Johnstown area), we were there gaining his support for some things that our club is working on, which we garnered, and at the end of the meeting I mentioned this airport and what happened to Paragon, and he said " it will never happen, the state won't approve the funds for it" he went on to say " we already have an airport, that is not currently being used. that we would be willing to give them" as we spoke, I found out that there is not really any support in the state government to support this airport. Sadly, in speaking with Kyle recently, he said that they are moving on and are looking to secure at least 1500 acres elsewhere in Pa. to re-open PARAGON. Those local politicians really screwed up a good thing for all of us.
Bear
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Papabear,
I agree. That's why each one of us has to do what ever we can to prevent this from happening other places. Individual voices and letters do make a difference.
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I live near the property and all communities involved are against an airport. My community of East Union Twp. even went as far as to pass a no fly zone ordinance throughout our entire twp. airspace. The only provisions would be for Medevac. I don't believe they succeeded but it was worth a try. As of what my twp. supervisors say.. the project should not be coming to the area.
Now that I finally have a Jeep Paragon is gone. We still have Rausch Creek tho.