Building A New DenverBuilding A New DenverAirportAirportAdam Danczyk, Saif Jabari,Adam Danczyk, Saif Jabari,and Matthew Forsythand Matthew ForsythHistoryHistoryBenjamin F. Stapleton, Mayor of Denver inBenjamin F. Stapleton, Mayor of Denver in1920s, desired a new airport.1920s, desired a new airport.Site was selected six miles east ofSite was selected six miles east ofdowntown because of low development indowntown because of low development inarea and land price values.area and land price values.Stapleton had opposition from City Council.Stapleton had opposition from City Council.Denver Post called idea Denver Post called idea ““StapletonStapleton’’s Follys Folly””and and ““SimpletonSimpleton’’s Sand Dunes.s Sand Dunes.””HistoryHistoryMayor Stapleton beat theMayor Stapleton beat theopposition. On March 25,opposition. On March 25,1928, the City Council1928, the City Councilapproved airport construction.approved airport construction.Cost of the airport wasCost of the airport was$430,000 and it opened in$430,000 and it opened inOctober 1929.October 1929.HistoryHistoryAirport was an immediate financial success.Airport was an immediate financial success.Amelia Earhart stopped at airport during aAmelia Earhart stopped at airport during across-country escapade.cross-country escapade.The first control tower in Denver beganThe first control tower in Denver beganoperations in 1938.operations in 1938.Mayor Stapleton was given full recognitionMayor Stapleton was given full recognitionby renaming in Stapleton Field.by renaming in Stapleton Field.HistoryHistoryThe Jet Age became a reality in the 1950sThe Jet Age became a reality in the 1950sand Stapleton Airport became moreand Stapleton Airport became moresuccessful.successful.By 1985, Stapleton had grown to 4,700By 1985, Stapleton had grown to 4,700acres.acres.Trouble On The HorizonTrouble On The HorizonStapleton Airport began having trouble in theStapleton Airport began having trouble in the1980s.1980s.Inadequate runway separation caused difficult inInadequate runway separation caused difficult inlanding coordination during low visibility weather,landing coordination during low visibility weather,causing delays.causing delays.Local opposition erupted over noise complaints.Local opposition erupted over noise complaints.Threats of legal action by Adams CountyThreats of legal action by Adams Countyprevented further expansion into the Rockyprevented further expansion into the RockyMountain Arsenal Lands.Mountain Arsenal Lands.Show Me The Money! Show Me The Money!In September 1989, Denver Mayor Federico Peña got approval forIn September 1989, Denver Mayor Federico Peña got approval forconstruction of a new airport.construction of a new airport.Peña was harshly criticized by opponents of spending too much moneyPeña was harshly criticized by opponents of spending too much moneyon large-scale projects.on large-scale projects.Besides the airport, Mayor PeñaBesides the airport, Mayor Peña’’s leadership hosted a Grand Prix, builts leadership hosted a Grand Prix, builta new convention center, and authorized the construction of a newa new convention center, and authorized the construction of a newbaseball stadium.baseball stadium.Denver residents suffered the bills of these endeavors.Denver residents suffered the bills of these endeavors.Airport initially was to be built by 1993, but poor planning and frequentAirport initially was to be built by 1993, but poor planning and frequentdesign changes pushed it back to 1994.design changes pushed it back to 1994.FedericoFedericoPeñaPeñaIf At First You DonIf At First You Don’’t Succeedt Succeed……In April of 1994, the city invited reporters toIn April of 1994, the city invited reporters toobserve the first test of the new automatedobserve the first test of the new automatedbaggage system.baggage system.Reporters got to witness luggage fly off the tracksReporters got to witness luggage fly off the tracksand personal items vanish in the tunnels.and personal items vanish in the tunnels.Better Late Than Never?Better Late Than Never?The luggage system fiasco prompted furtherThe luggage system fiasco prompted furtherdelays in opening. Engineers worked on thedelays in opening. Engineers worked on thesystem and opened finally in February 1995.system and opened finally in February 1995.The project was now 16 months behindThe project was now 16 months behindschedule and 2 billion dollars over budget.schedule and 2 billion dollars over budget.Stapleton Airport, under the agreementStapleton Airport, under the agreementmade with Adams County, was forced tomade with Adams County, was forced toclose for good.close for good.Problems with DIAProblems with DIAUnderestimation inUnderestimation inpassenger service.passenger service.““Second LargestSecond Largest””ClaimClaimHigher Cab FaresHigher Cab FaresHigher Parking FeesHigher Parking FeesIntense Wind StormsIntense Wind StormsHigher Landing FeesHigher Landing FeesDrain on DenverDrain on DenverEconomyEconomyWhite White ““Circus TentCircus Tent””RoofRoofCongested AccessCongested AccessRoadsRoadsNew World OrderNew World OrderConspiracyConspiracyCharleston, South Carolina Daily Mail Headlined, “Denver Airport GreatIf You Don’t Live In Denver.” (Date Unknown)Have the Benefits Surpassed TheHave the Benefits Surpassed TheCosts?Costs?DIA is 5DIA is 5thth busiest U.S. Airport, 10 busiest U.S. Airport, 10ththWorldwide.Worldwide.23 Passenger Airlines operate at DIA23 Passenger Airlines operate at DIAOver 42 million passengers in 2004Over 42 million passengers in 2004(13% increase over 2003.)(13% increase over 2003.)J.D. Power & Associates named DIA #1J.D. Power & Associates named DIA #1airport in the U.S. in customerairport in the U.S. in customersatisfaction, #2 in the world.satisfaction, #2 in the world.In 2004, the FAA ranked DIA first inIn 2004, the FAA ranked DIA first inmajor airports for on-time arrivals.major airports for on-time arrivals.Future Aircraft Potential with 16,000 footFuture Aircraft Potential with 16,000 footrunway (16R/34L).runway (16R/34L).The Automated Baggage System isThe Automated Baggage System isdeemed a failed experiment and hasdeemed a failed
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