EXPANDING CITY LIMITS

Airport asks to join Mobile

Authority votes to seek annexation, which is likely to be approved by City Council

By JEFF AMY

Staff Reporter

Mobile's city limits could soon stretch west to Snow Road after the Mobile Airport Authority voted Monday to ask the city to annex the Mobile Regional Airport.

Because the authority owns the property, the City Council can approve the request without an election or state legislation.

"Mobile Regional Airport will be in Mobile," said Richard Davis, the authority's chairman, after the 5-0 vote.

The annexation became possible when a group of west Mobile residents voted Sept. 18 to enter the city, making the city limits touch airport property.

Voters in three other areas rejected annexation that day.

The authority had wanted to come into the city before that and pushed unsuccessful state legislation earlier this year to annex its 1,616 acres, even though it wouldn't have touched any other part of Mobile.

Authority members said they believe entering the city would enhance police and fire protection, as well as provide more city help in locating industry on airport land.