The city’s consultant, Kimley-Horn and Associates, along with staff from the Municipal Airport, will host an Open House to discuss the plans to move forward with the construction of an air traffic control tower at the local airport. The Open House will be Monday, November 15 from 4:30PM to 6:30PM at City Hall Council Chamber (401 California Avenue). All attendees are required to wear a CDC-approved face covering while inside City Hall.
The cost of the $5 million tower will be paid in two ways. The majority (94.75%) will be paid through a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant and the remaining balance by the Airport Fund. Marissa Adou, Airport Manager, stated, “This safety improvement at the airport will be an excellent use of this funding. This Open House will give residents an overview of the process of siting an air traffic control tower and see sample photos of the tower cab and of the airport.”
The FAA had previously noted that “increasing volume of arriving and departing traffic without an operating air traffic control tower” was an operational concern. They further noted concerns with “the arrival of planes requesting opposing landings when traffic patterns are already established, combined with helicopter arrivals and departures crossing the runway.”
For those unable to attend the meeting in person, comments and questions can be submitted prior to the Open House by clicking HERE.
