FB Star Covers Update On McKeever Rd & SW Airport Issues--click here--

...At the heart of the contentious debate were the apparent adverse feelings of many Arcola residents and city administrators who felt Houston Southwest Airport owner Jamie Griffin was promoting the road changes to further his expansion of the airport.

The issue surfaced when Fort Bend County appeared to be about to purchase Griffin’s airport about 10 years ago. The projected road changes that accompanied the pre-purchase studies including closing McKeever Road to allow for the airport’s eventual expansion.

The county eventually found that purchasing the airport was not a feasible option and abandoned the idea. However, Arcola city officials and many of the town’s citizens felt the county and Griffin were still trying to push through changes that would allow for the airport’s expansion.

Griffin has, from previously published reports in the Star, wanted a “curved” design for the intersection of South Post Oak and McKeever.

However, after months of negotiations between the city and Precinct 2 Commissioner Richard Morrison the issue was worked out. The signed agreement approved by the court will include the “T” intersection preferred by Arcola officials.

During court, Commissioner Morrison said Griffin, who was called the “developer” by court members asking if he was in agreement, has the paperwork and had verbally agreed to the conditions approved by both the county and the city.

“Mr. Morrison, I want to commend you,” Hebert said after the court voted to approve the agreement. “This has taken longer than Gone with the Wind, with a cast of thousands.”