Glendale resident tells council airport tie-down rates jumped without notice, alleges tenant displacements

A tenant at Glendale Airport told the City Council on Feb. 25 that recent changes in management and pricing have harmed long-term tenants.

Matt Gunch, who identified himself as a West Phoenix/West Valley native and a five-year tenant at the airport, said his tie-down fee increased from $85 a month to $185 without justification. "My tie down went from $85 a month to $185 a month. No justification," he said, and added that signs on hangars continued to advertise lower rates. Gunch also alleged a flight school from Mesa displaced several tenants and that some tenants were charged as much as $145 a month after being told their aircraft were "not airworthy." He described the outcome as unfair and asked the council to note the problem.

The meeting transcript records the comment as part of citizens' remarks; no staff response or council direction addressing the airport complaints appears in the recorded meeting segments.

Next steps: The remark was recorded as public comment. City staff or airport management may follow up outside the meeting; no formal motion or action was made in the council meeting record.