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Phoenix-Mesa Gateway might be new name for airport
David van den Berg
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 16, 2007 01:59 PM

Although it's in Mesa, Williams Gateway Airport may soon have Phoenix in its name.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport was discussed as a possible new name at this morning's Williams Gateway Airport Authority Board meeting.

No action was taken, and the matter could return to the board for a vote in September.





The name would not only acknowledge Phoenix, which has joined the government entities operating the airport, but would cut a tie to the former Air Force Base that was on the site.

Williams Air Force Base was named for First Lt. Charles Williams, a Fort Huachuca native and military pilot who was killed in 1927 in an aircraft accident off Hawaii.

In a memo, airport executive director Lynn Kusy said one or more buildings at the airport could bear Williams' name, and said the phrase "at Williams Field" could be used as a further descriptor in some contexts.

"Our responsibility as board members is to do whatever we need to do to make this airport successful," said Gilbert Mayor Steve Berman, the board chair. "I would support putting the Phoenix name on the airport - if it's going to make it more successful. It sounds like a good plan."

Scott Somers, a Mesa city councilman who represented the city at Monday's meeting, said the move is a "business decision."

"It's bound to be an emotionally charged issue for many that we would drop the Williams name," he said. "We need to remove the emotion from it."

Somer said there should be a way to honor the Williams name somewhere at the airport, perhaps naming the terminal for him as terminal four at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is named for former U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater.

Five airlines responded anonymously to an airport survey about the name, and urged the airport to change it. Responses included "Currently there is no identification between Williams Gateway and the Phoenix metropolitan area, which is a very dynamic market" and "A typical passenger will ask what the heck is a Williams Gateway?"

Williams Air Force based closed in 1993.

The property is now home to the airport, educational institutions including Arizona State University's Polytechnic Campus and Chandler-Gilbert Community College's Williams Campus.

Gilbert, Queen Creek, Mesa, Phoenix and the Gila River Indian Community comprise the Williams Gateway Airport Authority, which owns and operates the airport.

Also at its meeting Monday, the board elected a new set of officers, with Gila River Indian Community Lt. Governor Jennifer Allison-Ray being elected board chair.