It was a word that I kept hearing over and over.
“I think it’s really unprecedented.”
“Never seen anything like it. Unprecedented, really.”
I have to admit. I hadn’t seen anything like it in my career either.
I’m not talking about the complex deal that is expected to create up to 25 million dollars in gaming revenue money to complete 1920 feet of additional runway for the Erie International Airport.
Although a deal like this doesn’t come along every day either.
It’s a plan that would allow the airport to take three holes from the Millcreek Golf Course for the runway expansion. That would mean the course wouldn’t be a course anymore so that the clubhouse could be taken for a new Millcreek Senior Center.
Millcreek would then take over the Erie Golf Course, which despite the confusing names is located in Millcreek but owned by the City of Erie.
Erie has been trying to ditch the property because of an on-going two million dollar debt there.
Because the extension project doesn’t have to pay to re-configure the 9-hole course, that money could help wipe out the City’s debt.
The county would not be on the hook for as much money and would realize savings to the extension project.
How’s the headache so far?
Despite the fact that this is one of the most complex political deals in Erie memory, it isn’t the complexity or the piecing together of the puzzle that makes this unheard of, never experienced before, you know, unprecedented.
No, what makes insiders shake their collective heads in wonder is that a County Executive, a City mayor, a County Council, a City Council and an Airport Authority could all join together in a consensus that is ultimately targeted to be a win for everybody.
Far less important projects have been derailed by personal agendas and egos, by the gnashing of teeth and the stomping of feet.
Not this time.
Different agencies had different concerns, rightly so, but over the course of a few weeks they were tweaked, appeased and agreement reached.
Dang, it gives me hope of one day living in an Erie County with a single regional government.
That’s makes it unprecedented, indeed.