Reston Spring

Reston Spring
Reston Spring

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

RCA Letter to Leaders Calls for MWAA to Share Non-Aviation Revenues with Those Paying for Metrorail, Including Toll Road Users



Press Release
 

                  RCA Seeks MWAA Subsidy to Tolls
    from Non-Aviation Commercial Development Activities
                February 5, 2013



At its February 4, 2013, meeting, the Reston Citizens Association (RCA) Board of Directors approved a letter to Transportation Secretary LaHood, Governor McDonnell, and the area’s Congressional delegation calling for Congress to direct MWAA to allocate any revenues from non-aviation related activities to Metrorail Silver Line construction costs. 

The letter proposes allocating those costs in accordance with the existing Silver Line funding partners agreement among MWAA, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties.  The biggest winner from such an arrangement would be Dulles Toll Road users who now are expected to pay more than half of the Silver Line’s construction costs.   Both Fairfax and Loudoun counties would also receive income if the proposed measure were approved.

The letter stems from a proposed amendment in MWAA’s lease with the US Department of Transportation that would allow MWAA to engage in any “business or activity not inconsistent with the needs of aviation that has been approved by the Secretary.”  The MWAA Board approved this amendment at its January 16, 2013, meeting, and it has been sent to Secretary of Transportation LaHood for his signature.  To date, MWAA has been authorized to engage only in aviation-related activities at its facilities.

MWAA has been engaged in planning development at Dulles Airport along in its core area and at two sites along its periphery.  MWAA’s special status means it doesn’t have to pay taxes on its revenues or assets or those that might be forthcoming from its commercial development at the airport.  It also does not have to comply with planning or zoning regulations. 

MWAA’s special status provides it with a tremendous competitive advantage over commercial developers who may be interested in developing their nearby properties.  It also means that the taxpayers of Loudoun County and the Commonwealth of Virginia will be subsidizing commercial development at the airport with their taxes. 

The RCA letter calls upon Congress and other responsible officials “to level the playing field” for commercial developers, taxpayers, and Dulles Toll Road users by distributing the income from any non-aviation related MWAA initiatives in a fair and equitable manner. 

Commenting on the letter, RCA President Colin Mills said, "Allowing development of airport land for non-aviation purposes would represent a dramatic change in MWAA's authority, and we are dismayed at MWAA's attempt to award itself this authority without Congressional approval.  If this development is allowed, the least that MWAA can do is to pay its fair share toward the construction of the Silver Line.  RCA stands opposed to MWAA's plan to enrich itself at the expense of the counties and Dulles Toll Road users."

“I never cease to be amazed by the MWAA Board,” added Tammi Petrine, an RCA Board member and Co-Chair of its Reston 2020 Committee.  “First, they think nothing of issuing questionable bonds by imposing crippling tolls on the Dulles Corridor community to pay nearly three-quarters of the cost of Silver Line’s Phase 2.  Now they are planning to use our tolls and taxes to compete directly with Reston and Herndon commercial ventures in Fairfax County and similar ventures in Loudoun County in developing their property for profit.  The appalling lack of conscience by this Board must be addressed immediately by Congress.”

Reston 2020’s other Co-Chair and RCA Board member Terry Maynard commented, “MWAA has the opportunity to step up to its repeated rhetoric that it is seeking ways to relieve the huge toll increases Dulles Toll Road users face in the years ahead.  The allocation of a substantial portion of MWAA income from non-aviation related activities would be a big step in the right direction.”


Point of Contact:
Terry Maynard
703-476-5376

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