What’s up with APs in Texas

[ArtVandelay]

Just browsing airports in Texas and found 3 airports are closed: KJCT, 74R, T91 and 3 more have no fuel: 50R, KGYB, KSEP?
And few more just west of DFW that are closing.

[cliffy]

Its called "developer's money" and "tax base for county"

[1980Mooney]

If you live in "low tax" Texas ("no income tax) you will know that the only way Counties and Cities can raise funding is from Sales Taxes and Property Taxes.  As a result we have some of the highest tax rates in the nation for both.  Annual Property Taxes are over 3.0% in some cities and no exemptions on vacation homes.

Airports are the worst use of land as far as the Counties and Cities are concerned.  First they can enjoy big income on the sale of a city or county owned airport to a developer.  Then they can enjoy continual income from property tax on the housing and commercial developments.  And then continual sales tax from mixed use, hotel, and service oriented development.  For the County and City, the shut down and sale of an airport is a "Win/Win".

For privately owned airports that have been encroached by urban sprawl (like the DFW area as noted). it is a huge "pay day" that perfectly monetizes generational wealth transfer.  In the Houston area, 4 privately owned airports have been sold in the last approx 20-30 years.  The heirs of the families that developed the airports generally have no interest in running an airport or, where there are multiple heirs, one of the heirs wants their share split out and sold so there is no interest in keeping the airport intact. Andrau (700 acres) is now housing, mixed use, Old Westheimer (74 acres) is now housing, Weiser (102 acres) is now housing.  Only Sugar Land (622 acres) was sold to the city.

Edited June 15, 2023 by 1980Mooney

[TCC]

When did Junction close? AWOS is still pumping out the weather this morning.

Nevermind; NOTAM’d as temp closure:

[ArtVandelay]

Look at all the closures in DFW aera:

[1980Mooney]

On 6/15/2023 at 8:54 AM, ArtVandelay said:

Look at all the closures in DFW aera:

You have bad info.  They are not permanently closed.  

T-29 Flying H Ranch Airport - TURF -NOTAM says you have to get prior permission to land.  It is privately owned. AirNav: T29 - Flying H Ranch Airport

35X Triple-Ace Field Airport - TURF - 1271 x 40 ft.  - No NOTAM.    worried about a turf runway that you will never be able to take-off from??  AirNav: 35X - Triple-Ace Field Airport

4T2 - Kenneth Copeland Airport  - also privately owned - NOTAM says you have to get prior permission to land. AirNav: 4T2 - Kenneth Copeland Airport

etc.

[ArtVandelay]

You have bad info.  They are not permanently closed.  
T-29 Flying H Ranch Airport - TURF -NOTAM says you have to get prior permission to land.  It is privately owned. AirNav: T29 - Flying H Ranch Airport
35X Triple-Ace Field Airport - TURF - 1271 x 40 ft.  - No NOTAM.    worried about a turf runway that you will never be able to take-off from??  AirNav: 35X - Triple-Ace Field Airport
4T2 - Kenneth Copeland Airport  - also privately owned - NOTAM says you have to get prior permission to land. AirNav: 4T2 - Kenneth Copeland Airport
etc.

I didn’t say they were permanently closed, still odd to see this (maybe GP started tagging closing recently, and I just never knew it).
And private airports are usually marked with an R.