It’s been a stunning fall in Jackson with golden aspens, roaming wildlife, and crisp mornings. The kind of peace and quiet that makes you stop and remember why we all live here.
Well, unless you live anywhere near the airport.
Residents near the Jackson Hole Airport are reporting heavy after-hours construction noise and what they describe as an increasing number of aircraft curfew violations — late-night and early-morning flights that seem to have forgotten there’s a community just outside the runway. The ongoing construction west of the current airport buildings has already been a major headache for nearby homeowners, and now comes news of another expansion: a new “Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Facility.”
According to the airport, this new structure is needed to replace an existing one that apparently doesn’t offer “ease of access to all portions of the airport.” For neighbors, that’s bureaucratic-speak for “expect more construction noise in your backyard.”
Public Open House — October 13
The airport will host a public open house on October 13th from 5 to 7 p.m. at its existing Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility, right next to the short-term parking lot.
Parking will be validated (how generous), and community members are encouraged to attend — or in this case, probably vent.
From the Jackson Hole Airport’s website:
“Community members are encouraged to attend the open house at the Airport’s existing Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility, located adjacent to the airport’s short-term parking lot. Attendees may use the airport’s public parking lots; parking will be validated for the event.”
In a public statement, Airport Board President Rob Wallace said:
“We look forward to engaging key stakeholders and our community to discuss these needed safety improvements. Public input will help to evaluate facility locations that balance environmental sensitivity to our surroundings while maintaining the highest level of safety.”
“Balance environmental sensitivity” is a nice phrase, but for residents who’ve endured months of clanging equipment, floodlights, and late-night jet noise, the balance feels a little one-sided.
A Call for Community Voices
We strongly encourage all airport-area neighbors and anyone who cares about how development impacts our valley’s quality of life to attend the open house or submit an online comment. This is a chance to ask the hard questions:
- Why is construction happening after hours?
- How will this new facility affect noise, light pollution, and wildlife?
- And at what point does “safety” become a cover for endless expansion?
If you can’t attend in person, comments can be submitted online at jacksonholeairport.com/safetyfacility.
Because if the only voices heard are the ones holding construction contracts, the noise might never stop.
AntlersArch founder and the voice behind Teton Tattle.
