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Mojave Air and Space Port looks to grab funds from President Obama's
stimulus package
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Tuesday, February 10, 2009.
By ALLISON GATLIN
Valley Press Staff Writer
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MOJAVE - The Mojave Air and Space Port is positioning itself to receive
any construction funds from a proposed federal economic stimulus package.
"If they're going to throw money around, maybe we can get some," General
Manager Stu Witt told the East Kern Airport District directors during their
Feb. 3 meeting.
The airport regularly prepares "shovel-ready" construction projects in order to take advantage of additional federal grant funds sometimes available at the end of each fiscal year. This preparation may pay off should stimulus funding come available.
One project the airport has requested for several years is to construct a joint-use fire station that would support a Kern County Fire Department hazardous materials team. As it stands now, the nearest team is located in Bakersfield.
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MOJAVE - The East Kern Airport District approved a contract with Granite Construction to improve a road from the airplane "boneyard" on the north side of the Mojave Air and Space Port.
The road, which leads to the main flightline area, crosses the runways and connects to Taxiway C. Gravel and debris from the boneyard is sometimes deposited on the runway and taxiway, which can lead to foreign object damage to jet engines.
"We get people crossing there all the time and they don't stop and check their tires" for debris, said General Manager Stu Witt. "I think it's long overdue and required."
The project will include 150 feet of pavement and a "shaker," a portion of steel grating similiar to a cattle guard placed in the road to help dislodge any debris from tires.
The project is expected to cost $19,098, funds which are available in the airport's budget for roads and emergency repairs, Witt said.
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MOJAVE - The East Kern Airport District has stepped up enforcement against illegal dumping at the Mojave Air and Space Port, using video cameras to catch scofflaws using dumpsters at the airport for household trash, including furniture and appliances.
The issue is a safety concern for the airport, as the overflowing dumpsters attract ravens, which can be a hazard to aircraft using the airport, said General Manager Stu Witt.
"We're going to fight this one person at a time," he said.
Witt also requested the vigilance of all those at the airport to report illegal dumping.
"I need everybody's help on this," he said. "This is a huge problem."
agatlin@avpress.com