Van Nuys Airport Breaks Ground on New Propeller Park

Propeller Park CAedit.jpg “The Park,” at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) broke ground on its $21-million, 30-acre propeller aircraft facility which will consolidate piston-driven planes and businesses into a full-service aviation community at the airport. Government officials, airport executives and community leaders, joined by the Van Nuys Propeller Association and “the Park” team, gathered for the ceremonial groundbreaking of this airport milestone. The new facility is located on the old Air National Guard site, and once completed will include its own terminal, maintenance services, flight schools, restaurant, self-service fuel station and aircraft wash rack.

“The airport is an important part of the Van Nuys and Valley family. By continuing to create middle class jobs both inside and out of the airport, it remains an important component to our local economic revitalization and is a testament to what we can develop locally,” said Councilwoman Nury Martinez. “Van Nuys Airport is committed to working with all our aviation tenants to deliver successful projects,” said Steve Martin, Chief Operating Officer, Los Angeles World Airports.

The first phase involves the relocation of over 70 existing hangars, followed by construction of two buildings housing 24 new hangars on a nearly ten-acre site. Street improvements along Balboa will include a sidewalk, street lights, street trees, and landscaping. The current phase will be completed by March 31, 2015.

Overall, the 350,500-square-feet of new construction and infrastructure that will house a new terminal and a restaurant, is expected to be completed by December 31, 2018. Upon completion, “the Park” at VNY will encompass new hangars, offices and off-street parking spaces for tenants and visitors. The project is anticipated to include a communal hangar for pre-
1950 military war birds and consists of over 30 acres dedicated solely to propeller aircraft. With over 300 piston-driven aircraft at VNY, these planes are a key launching point for young pilots who are training to fly jumbo jets.

Pacoima-based Pacific Aviation is the developer building the propeller park.

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