Meigs Field GONE????

[Bob_D 38]

It was an early Sunday, March morning still under the cover of dark and triple overtime. When the bulldozers (with police escort) pulled into meigs at about 3am, the airport was of course still closed. They quickly before sun up had most of the X's carved in the runways. This was done so no reporters wouldn't find out about it quickly enough to show it in action. Also to stop a lawsuits/injunctions filed by groups like Friends of Meigs Field.When asked about the destruction for weeks, Mayor Daley said "this was done for security reasons. I don't want any small planes taking off from Meigs loaded with explosives and flying into one of our downtown buildings." After press houndings, Daley finally admitted that security had nothing to do with Meigs closing. Instead he said "I wanted a park there".This was about a year after the Mayor and Gov. at the time Jim Ryan had reached and agreement to keeps Meigs open until at the very least 2007. Possibly as long as 25 years in exchange for the Govenors support for expansion at Ohare airport. Well, a few months before the Meigs destruction a new Gov. took the "oath of office" and the Ohare plans kind of fell a part. Daley as he tends to do acting like a 12 year old wanted revenge for at least the delay of one of his "legacy" projects that being Ohare Expansion. So only a few months later Daley decided since Meigs in on park district land he needed no public input, no legislative approval; he sent in the bulldozers before anyone could stop him. Later it was learned that Daley had perhaps used Federal money earmarked for Ohare to bulldoze Meigs, which of course would be illegal. Believe that is still under investgation. The City was fined for closing Meigs by the FAA from not giving 30 days notice. But that fine was mere "walkin around" money and was easily written off.Last week it was announced that Clear Channel Entertainment would build a outdoor music venue on Meigs land(offically called Northerly Island). Believe it was 3,000 seats or so don't remember the exact number. The rest of the island would be park land/small beach. Its funny since if the city needs anything its certainly not more lakeside parks and even less so lakeside music venues. Grant Park with it music venue is only blocks away! Plus there is another that escapes me at the moment.Friends of Meigs has pushed a compromise proposal for over a year now would would rebuild a small airstrip, keep quite a bit of the park land and add a small beach. But when a mayor sends in the dozers in a 3am gestapo style, doubt any compromise could be reached.Since this has happened Daley has had to be on the defensive of Scandals in City gov. and back rooms deals run amok. If Daley does happen this lose his relection this year, you could look back to the Meigs destruction to the start of his downfall. Its has been one scandal after another since. Too many to mention which is sad. Of course him losing is based on the fact that Alan Keyes wont be running for Mayor.If Daley were to lose, I certainly think its possible that one day Meigs could come back in some form. Since the Friends of Meigs plan was funnded via Federal money.

[Guest DemolitionMan]

I was reminded yet again by this post, that this kind of political chicanery is a daily occurance all over the world, not just here in germany! Although they are always a lot more subtle than "Mr.Bulldozer" Daly, the polititians here are just as sneaky... General Aviation here is expensive and fraught with difficulty; and germany is a country in the heart of europe, with all that entails: The majority of the airspace divided between controlled air space and military air traffic zones, and then the GA scurrying along, zig-zagging between them!Add to that the high cost of a PPL in germany, very expensive Avgas, and the rules and regulation jungle here, and you can see why GA here is in a sorry state.Although they have their share of problems too, I envy the GA in america:They still enjoy a relative freedom, and america is big enough to be able to fly in uncontrolled airspace for long enough to have some fun.My dream is to win the lottery, then I'll emigrate to alaska, and get a job flying beavers!BestGrahame (EDHL)Edited once for speling!

[Guest Shalomar]

Donny AKA ShalomarFly 2 ROCKS!!!I have only flown there virtually but I am sad to see Meigs gone. I just went thru there from LXV en route to my "home" airport of KABE. I remember well squeezing the 737, 767 and A320 into Meigs with good ol' Sublogic's ATP. I will probably restore Meigs if it is deleted from future sims, atleast scenery files can't be bulldozed.Best Regards, Donny:-wave

[Guest Staggerwing]

If some city officials have their way... this is what will happen to KBKL Burke Lakefront in Cleveland also for same reasons. A bit larger than Meigs, but a very similar style airport.

[Guest Shalomar]

Donny AKA ShalomarFly 2 ROCKS!!!Allentown PA is exerting a lot of pressure to close their municipal airport. Slated to become a possible site for a slots parlor now that PA has limited gambling. My dad and I took real world lessons there and I used it as a hangout spot for years. The same authority that runs KABE in PA now runs the municipal, they do NOT want it shut down saying no room for all those planes where they would likely wind up and they want to keep KABE's attractive resulting lower traffic going. Less flight delays for the comercial carriers that service KABE.At least scenery files can't be bulldozed.:-wave I still enjoy seeing World Trade Center when I fly to NYC.

[Trans_27 Pilot Chase 59]

Personally, i dont see why some sort of charges could not be pressed against this rat mayor for leaving atleast 10 aircraft stranded. I dont know the whole story, but what i have read on here and the AOPA site, this man was completely out of line, and is nothing more than a man with no brains controlling a major city in this country. I think it would be noticed if some one was placing a 200 or 300 lbs of C4 in a Cessna 172. The security issue is to be dealt with by Homeland Security or the DOD. He was in no way, shape or for fit to make that choice.

[Guest daveg4otu]

Have a look here at Meigs......http://www.airfields-freeman.com/IL/Airfie...ago_C.htm#meigsand here to get some idea of the large numbers of fields in the USA that have closed in the past 20-30 years.http://www.airfields-freeman.com/Dave

[Trans_27 Pilot Chase 59]

I think the following descride mr. rat mayor::-bat:-bang:-hang:-sae:-ukliamI wish that what he did would be enough to remove him from office

[AlaskanFlyboy 7]

Mayor Daley was quoted as saying it was a security risk and as recall, he even tried to say the TSA was involved in the decision, towhich the TSA promptly said they had no knowledge of the Meigs closing. After that, he came clean and said he removed it to put a park in.----------------------------------------------------------------John S. MorganReal World: KGEG, UND Aerospace Spokane Satillite, Private 130+ hrs.Virtual: MSFS 2004"There is a feeling about an airport that no other piece of ground can have. No matter what the name of the country on whose land it lies, an airport is a place you can see and touch that leads to a reality that can only be thought and felt." - The Bridge Across Forever: A Love Story by Richard Bach

[Guest cfh2k3]

Personally,I think they should rebuild Meigs Field.http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_250083419.html

[Guest Air1]

Just heard today that the city of Chicago was fined $3,300.00 by the FAA for failing to notifie. Guess they got away with it with alright, a shame.Steve A

[N400QW 205]

Here are some shots of Meigs from our trip to Osh Kosh 2004 and again in 2005. They grew prairie grass and built concrete bike trails???http://www.eaglesoftdg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35http://www.eaglesoftdg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1234

[RFields5421 1]

There were only two possible actions open to the Feds after Chicago bulldozed Meigs.1. Cut off all funding and support for all Chicago airports - including KORD and KMDW.2. Issue a fine and tell him to not do it again.You can obviously see that #1 was not possible. How many of the "flying public" would give a rat's patootee about a GA field for "millionaires with their own planes".A couple other things - I don't think AOPA will ever hold a major convention or meeting in Chicago.If you like GA, do everything you can to avoid enriching the city. On my last business trip to the city, I made danged sure I stayed and ate at a hotel and restaurant outside the city. I even flew into Milwuakee to avoid Chicago.Every time I can avoid Chicago, I write the mayor's office a letter and tell them why I'm not going to Chicago - until they rebuild and reopen Meigs.The only language they understand is money. So don't give them yours.

[John_Cillis 2,406]

"Every time I can avoid Chicago, I write the mayor's office a letter and tell them why I'm not going to Chicago - until they rebuild and reopen Meigs.The only language they understand is money. So don't give them yours."Don't know why this thread was raised from the depths after six months of silence, but since it brought your response, let me comment. I am from Chicago, although I left it 40 years ago. My first sight of an airplane--literally in a way since the hospital I was born in was within sight of the lakefront--was at Meigs. Chicago is made up of millions of all walks of life. When AOPA comes to town, who benefits? The Mayor? Nope, it's the little guy that makes up urban Chicago, that's who. The bellhops, taxi drivers, wait staff, desk clerks, street vendors, line cooks--do I need to continue?You can't see Meigs any more, so you boycott a city? Honestly I don't think anyone reading your post would care, but I hope it doesn't represent the mentality of AOPA. The mayor has his pretty park, and you seem to be making a stand--but you both sound like politicians trying to score points in your venues--with your venue being our forum. Before you say "the city voted him in", just remember that the workers of the inner city likely drove in from outside the city to their jobs like most of us. Meigs is gone and that is a sorry fact--but it doesn't mean that there aren't those in the city who dream of flying. Some of them may be the very wait staff you are boycotting so you can show the Mayor your anger.If you want to be a politician, be one that makes a difference. And that starts by trying to sway the hearts and mind of the people who voted him in or could vote for him the next time, not by boycotting them.-John

[oldbear 33]

"Politicians on the other hand,in every country and of every persuasion, are just self-important, self-serving, money grabbing,loathsome creatures of our own creation."Blimey, now that's cynicism! Do the words 'tar' and 'brush' mean anything to you? I think it's still possible to find politcians who actually have a soul.My member of parliament is a good egg, and cares about his constituents. Mind you, I'm sure he'd also like to become Prime Minister, if the chance came along! :-lol Ian