THE CALIFORNIA WIN-WIN PROJECT: OPPORTUNITIES ASSOCIATED WITH A SAN DIEGO AREA REGIONAL AIRPORT IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY Lars Perner, Ph.D. San Diego State University

Abstract The San Diego Regional Airport Authority is currently considering several potential sites for a regional airport to replace or supplement the current San Diego International Airport, which is unable to expand in order to accommodate increasing needs for air transportation in the area. One location being considered is the so-called Desert Site in Imperial County. This area offers an abundance of undeveloped land, but the eighty-five mile distance from San Diego makes the viability of this site largely contingent on the construction of a high speed magnetic levitation train system. Arguments have been made that this train system would attract only a limited proportion of travelers. This analysis questions this conclusion and suggests that a regional airport and high speed train system would make feasible synergistic several developments that would benefit a diverse group of stakeholders across California and the nation. Suggested projects include a regional medical center and a federally charted multi-tribe resort development.

Background San Diego International Airport and Lindbergh Field does not have adequate capacity; thus, sites for a new airport are being considered A Desert Site in Imperial County remains as a possible location for a new San Diego County International Airport

More Background Although remote, the Desert Site has advantages Low cost of land For airport For additional projects Twenty-four hour access and virtually no weather related inaccessibility To be practical, the site would require a high speed train

Proposal The Desert Site can be made more attractive by adding symbiotic developments made possible by low costs of land: Multi-Tribe Resort Community Factory Outlet Center Regional Medical Facility

A Symbiotic Relationship MAGNETIC LEVITATION TRAIN FACTORY OUTLET CENTER MULTI-TRIBE NATIVE AMERICAN RESORT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AIRPORT People flow Resource flow

Airport Location Advantages Low land cost Opportunities for large capacity and large runwayspotentials Low cost gateway into California Minimal weather delays Opportunity to serve as experimental airport Integration with other facilities

Location Problems and Solutions Problems Distance to San Diego Dependence on high speed train Solutions Use of train time for check-in and screening Low cost delivery of baggage to San Diego area hotels, businesses, and residences

Magnetic Levitation Train Technology is still experimental Relatively low volume route for this investment (but thus good site for testing and perfecting technology) Connection through Phoenix also suggested (which would increase the value of the project)

Multi-tribe Resort Gaming Conferences (especially for socially responsible groups) Location advantage Attractiveness to local community Jobs Supplier opportunities Local sales taxes Little spillover of crime into local community Low cost access

Resort: Advantages Local support Considerable revenue that could benefit a large number of Native American tribes and individuals Reinvestment of profits into Native American projects in general Education Local schools Higher education Training in connection with Resort Airport Retail facilities Medical facilities

Factory Outlet Center Low cost land Low cost labor Customer convenience Choices Direct shipment to domestic or foreign home (shipping and duty costs calculated in-store) Delivery to airport on day of departure

Medical Center Large contiguous space for construction Low cost labor Quick transportation from airport to hospital Physicians can live in San Diego if desired Resort is close by for relatives

Diversity Impact Opportunities for Native Americans Opportunities for residents of Imperial Valley to Obtain better paying jobs and training (bilingual skills will be valuable) Work in San Diego Attend San Diego area colleges Gain access to better health care Receive medical training Opportunities for San Diego area residents Find lower cost homes in Imperial Valley Attend SDSU-IVC, which has large capacity

California Wins, Too Increased tourism from gateway Sales tax revenues Reduced costs for social programs Construction jobs High tech research opportunities Airport technology and management Magnetic levitation