North Adams Airport Commission Mulls Name Change

Owen Silbaugh, a planner with Gale Associates, explained that an FAA grant the commission is waiting was still not ready; the deadline is Sept. 26.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Harriman and West Airport may undergo a name change to accommodate better marketing.

The Airport Commission is considering switching to the more obvious North Adams Municipal Airport.  

Commissioner Trevor Gilman said now would be the optimal time to change the name because many projects and improvements to the airport are coming together.

"We have been looking to bring the airport to the next level and get the traffic that we want," Gilman said at Tuesday's meeting. "I think this is the time to capitalize on it as much as possible, and it seems to me that changing the name to the North Adams Municipal Airport makes it very clear who we are and who we are trying to attract."

Gilman said when he worked at Pittsfield Municipal Airport, Williams College students often touched down there instead of North Adams. He attributes this the lack of clarity in the Harriman and West name.

Chairman Jeffrey Naughton said he could see Gilman's point, but would rather seek more information on the history of the airport before he votes.

"Whether it was a previous commission or a previous mayor and City Council, somewhere along the line it was deemed that these two people should have their name on the airport and be part of this city's legacy and heritage," Naughton said. "Before we overturn it, if we overturn it, I need to know the circumstances around that."

The airport was named for Lottie Harriman, a city councilor in the 1940s and a chairman of the Airport Commission, and longtime manager George West. Both were considered instrumental in the development and modernization of the airport.

Airport Manager William Greenwald said the airport could benefit from a name change if the commission felt it was necessary. He said often people call the airport to ask where they are and what services they offer.

Airport Manager William Greenwald said using the city's name would make its location clearer for pilots and passengers.

"They still haven't sent it out yet, and I tried to see if I could pick it up on my way through today, but they said it wasn't ready," Silbaugh said. "They said they can't tell me when the money is going to be released."

Silbaugh also said it is impossible to know whether or not the airport will receive the full funding for the project or just a portion of it.

"Hopefully, it will be the full amount but we won't know until it is actually released," Naughton said. "It's like a party secret and they aren't going to tell us."

Silbaugh also prepared the committee for its participation in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE). Because it receives federal funding for projects and needs more than $250,000, the airport must participate in the program designed to encourage socially and economically disadvantaged business owners with DBE certification to participate in federal contracts.  

Greenwald said residents who live around the airport have complained about a noisy unknown helicopter using the facilities. Greenwald said he has yet to see the helicopter and cannot yet identify where it is from.

"If I could get a hold of them they could come in a little more vertically, but until the folks can identify the branch, I am just going to be spinning my wheels," he said. "We will do everything we can, but we need data."

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