April 19, 2008. Most of the residents in vicinity of Midland Avenue in Kearny awoke this morning to a bright Saturday morning. The sun is out, the wind is calm and for those lucky enough to have someone already brewing the coffee, the smell of coffee arouses the senses. Local volunteer residents are conducting their annual Passaic River Cleanup. Kearny is a relatively quiet today but that may change soon. According to published reports, the Air Pegasus Helicopters LLC plans to construct a Helicopter Heliplex in Newark alongside Route 21 (McCarter Highway) directly across from Midland Avenue in Kearny.
According to Steven Trenk, Managing Director of Air Pegasus Helicopters, “This is an important project to bolster Newark’s plan to increase public safety and to help reinvigorate economic development in this community. I am proud that we are able to take the lead in a project that I know is right for the community, right for the Newark Police Department, and right for the City of Newark.” Trenk's statement did not comment upon the noise impact on the local community including the residents of North Newark or Kearny. A group of local residents however have organized in an attempt to stop the construction of the Heliplex. The relative quiet of their Saturday morning, the values of their homes, and their safety is at stake. So far the group has gotten the support of Kearny Mayor Alberto Santos and Congressman Steven Rothman. Both have stated their objection to the project and the need for further public hearings.
Air Pegasus's Heliplex is much more than a helicopter landing strip. The complex will include conventional aircraft storage/hangar facilities adequate to accommodate growth of the successful Police Aviation Unit as well as corporate and charter aircraft from the surrounding area. The heliplex will provide space for maintenance personnel and parts storage, pilot-briefing areas with direct access to the hangar including direct visual oversight, office space, locker room(s), a pilots lounge, sleep room, exercise room, bathroom and shower facilities, weather/flight planning facilities, kitchen, conference area and training area. The City of Newark currently operates two Police helicopters. Although Steven Trenk states that the Heliplex will benefit the City of Newark's public safety, the Heliplex will not increase public safety. The Newark Police already have helicopter operations. Residents can justify increased noise pollution caused by the Newark Police Department's helicopters. However, increased noise pollution from a private commercial enterprise is a lot harder to swallow. The area immediately surrounding the planned Heliplex are primarily residential in nature both in North Newark and Kearny. In addition, the Heliplex will be constructed next to a new Newark Police Station and Community Center. It is surprising to see such an ill conceived plan getting any support of Newark Mayor Cory Booker or the North Ward Center's Executive Director Stephen Adubato. There has not been much press on their official position with respect to the Heliplex. According to Kearny's Mayor, Newark's Northward Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr. has expressed his objection to the Heliplex. It would be interested to see what Stephen Adubato's position is on the project.
A Heliplex is not a terrible idea. Its placement adjacent to a new Police station and community center and in a predominately residential area is a terrible idea. A better location would be to place the Heliplex in South Kearny. Air Pegasus should explore the purchase of property in South Kearny. The current planned location of the Heliplex is approximately 3 miles from downtown Newark. Placing the Heliplex in South Kearny would enable passengers to be approximately the same distance from downtown Newark and neighboring Jersey City and New York City.
A group of local residents have started the circulation of a Petition to Stop the Heliplex which contains a signature sheet. The residents have also put together a flyer objecting to the Heliplex. The organizers currently do not have a website but are working to put one together. You can join the discussion on the KOTW Discussion Board.
The following are some links to articles and postings on the Heliplex:
Contract Awarded for Newark Heliport
Rendering of Proposed Heliplex
We Fly High: Newark Heliport/Heliplex
Friends Against Newark Heliplex
Relatives of Mayor Booker's Former Law Partner to Open Newark Heliport
Other Related Articles:
West Side Heliport Must Go, Park Advocacy Says
Heliport Floats Barge Idea, But Critics Not Aboard
Angry Buzz Grows About Illegal Heliport in Hudson River Park
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