Don McLean and the Hamilton Airport Employment Growth District

Don McLean, Director and co-founder of Environment Hamilton gave an overview of the Aerotropolis, a 4574 acre section of land surrounding Hamilton Airport. The city expects the 1635 acres of employment land (mainly warehousing, trucking and wholesaling) to generate 25 000 jobs and raise $60 million in net taxes per year. It also sees future airport growth reaching 9 million passengers per year.

In 2010, city council approved the plan by a 14 to 2 vote. Since then there have been dozens of appeals to the Ontario Municipal board with multiple phase hearings still ongoing. Many individuals and businesses have different agendas regarding the aerotropolis. There are a number of costs and risks associated with the plan. Over $350 million for internal roads and pipes; $125 million for a trunk sewer; and millions of dollars for storm runoff control. At present, the current capacity would service about 20% of the area. Overall, costs are expected to be at least half a billion dollars.

Over the years the actual experience of the airport would not seem to support the growth forecasts with the uncertainty of the global and provincial economies being such variables. Besides, McLean states that there are 1840 acres of greenfield serviced business park land already available throughout the city. 

The Airport Employment Growth district sits on the highest piece of land between the escarpment and Lake Erie and is the head waters to four streams with much of the land classified as prime agricultural. Pollution and the loss of food production land are key concerns.

McLean's overall presentation was to raise awareness of the issues and to consider a smaller and less costly (both in dollars and to the environment) plan that could be revisited in the future as conditions change.