When and Why would they do this? (Cincinnati, Kent: taxis, buses)

[PhillytoCincy]

When and why did they decided to built Cincinnati's international airport in Kentucky? 97% of the people flying into that airport that are making final connections are going into Cincinnati/Ohio. So why would they not just put it west of Cincinnati or north near the northern suburbs? What was the decision to put it out in Kentucky?

[aquila]

At one time through the 30s and into the 40s they actually HAD thought about building it out near Blue Ash. But because of typical Cincinnati bickering and political fighting when it comes to getting major projects done, along with failed bond issues and resistance from Blue Ash residents, Northern Kentucky stepped up to the plate and was able to get federal approval and the funds for building the airport in Boone County. Another shining example of typical Cincinnati bumbling and losing projects to other places.

[Wilson513]

Having a commercial airport is like having a city dump. You have to have one, but it doesn't have to be in the best part of town. Hence, Boone County.

[Ohiogirl81]

Cheap and plentiful flat land -- close to downtown -- ain't all that easy to come by.

Does it really bother anyone that the airport is in Kentucky?

[Cincy-Rise]

Originally Posted by wilson1010

Having a commercial airport is like having a city dump. You have to have one, but it doesn't have to be in the best part of town. Hence, Boone County.

I was about to say the same thing.

Can you imagine an airport between to connecting cities? To the west? There's development all the way to IN, plus the topography is extremely hilly.

[aquila]

I don't know if the hilly terrain would have been such an issue. There really aren't any significantly hilly areas that are at a higher elevation surrounding Blue Ash, so I don't think it would have been an issue with takeoffs and landings. Plus, as far as development, we're talking back in the 30s when they first started looking at Blue Ash. It wasn't nearly as developed back then as it is now. If the airport had been built, the area would obviously be much different than what we see today.

I do agree Boone County had much more open land for doing it, and that probably made it conducive for expanding the airport, which would have been difficult in Blue Ash. But heck....they could have built it up in Butler County. I think it's simply a matter that Kentucky jumped on it and was able to make it all come together.

[Wilson513]

Here's a little blurb to add some contecxt to this discussion:

In 1925, Eshelby Lunken and the Grisard Company sold the Blue Ash airfield to the Watson brothers. Grisard Field now became Watson Field. The Grisard Company had eyes on the small airfield located near the Ohio River on what was then called the Turkey Bottoms, later to become known as Lunken Airport. After the 1937 flood completely submerged Lunken Airport, Cincinnati civic leaders reconsidered the Blue Ash airport as the most promising location. Starting in 1938, Cincinnati politicians, civic leaders and others fought with each other in attempts to build a large commercial airport for the City of Cincinnati at the Blue Ash location. Through the years, failed bond issues, political in-fighting and disagreements failed to produce any firm decision on building at the Blue Ash location. Meanwhile, Northern Kentucky politicians were successful in winning Federal approval and were awarded funds to build what would eventually become the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International airport. The Watson brothers sold the Blue Ash airport to the City of Cincinnati in 1946 and the airfield was renamed the Blue Ash airport. Throughout the 1950s, there were still political efforts to build the "Cincinnati Airport" in Blue Ash but Blue Ash civic leaders and residents fought any major airport redevelopment issues. As time went by, suburbs and businesses expanded and any chance for Blue Ash to become the site of a major airport dwindled.

Blue Ash today maintains the rustic yet modern charm that is a small and friendly general aviation airport. Summer air shows are still held there annually and many attend flight training and charter small aircraft out of Blue Ash for weekend jaunts. Pilots can usually be found hanging around the lounge engaged in "hangar flying" discussions, and although one can literally walk out of any of the hangar and see newly built business and residences directly across the street, the city has accepted the airport as an old friend and all accept each other peacefully.

Blue Ash Airport

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Cheap and plentiful flat land -- close to downtown -- ain't all that easy to come by.

Does it really bother anyone that the airport is in Kentucky?

I am much less concerned about the location of the airport as much as the Delta monopoly that makes CVG the most expensive airport to fly out of.

[rrtechno]

Is the Cincinnati airport any farther from downtown than the Denver airport is from downtown Denver?

From flydenver.com - "The airport is easily accessed via interstate highways and is conveniently located less than 35 minutes from downtown Denver by car, shuttle buses, public transportation or taxis."

[aquila]

Oh heck no. So long as you don't hit slow traffic, CVG is within about 20 minutes of downtown.