Privatization Process Moves Along for Gwinnett Airport

The wheels are slowly turning toward Request for Proposals (RFP) for possible privatization of the Gwinnett County-owned airport in Lawrenceville.

Kim Conroy, acting transportation director, said Tuesday that county officials hope to have a conference call next Tuesday (Nov. 22) with consultants IMG that were hired to assist in the RFP process.

Gwinnett commissioners voted in October to effectively restart the process of potentially selling or leasing Briscoe Field. The goal would be to improve the airport's financial performance by utilizing private operators. Currently, the airport is operated by the county's Transportation Department.

An airport citizens review panel also has had one meeting and will participate in an oversight role. Opposition to privatization has been strongest in the Lawrenceville and Dacula areas, which are nearest Briscoe Field.

Commercial passenger service has been placed on the back burner for now, but any company interested in operating Briscoe Field could include that in an RFP.

In an unrelated matter, the Gwinnett BOC voted Tuesday to apply for up to $1 million in state grants for airport infrastructure upgrades.

Conroy noted that this request was recommended in the county's 2006 master plan and is not in conjunction with possible privatization. Commissioners will vote later on whether to accept any grant monies that might be awarded.