Alternate Use For Buchanan Field RFP Will Soon Be Released

     Below is a quick update regarding the process the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has embarked on with the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop a replacement airport and reuse of the land currently occupied by Buchanan Field Airport.
     On May 25, 2004, the Community Development Department presented the draft RFP "for the development of a new replacement airport and the reuse and development of the Buchanan Field Airport property" to the Board of Supervisors.  The Board of Supervisors heard comments from a diverse group of individuals during that meeting, adding to input presented during the previous six months.  The comments were as diverse as the groups themselves.  The Board decided to direct staff to make additional modifications to the RFP and then bring it back for their final review and approval on June 8, 2004. 
     During the June 8^th Board of Supervisors meeting additional public comment was heard regarding the RFP for replacement airport and alternative uses for Buchanan Field Airport.  The main concern raised by the pilots and aviation business owners was

that the Airport could become stagnant while a decision is made on the future of the Airport.  Additionally, Supervisor Gayle Uilkema stated that she wanted someone with airport closure experience to review the RFP.  Supervisor Uilkema stated that since the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and County staff have not closed an airport before, it was appropriate to use a consultant to review the RFP. 
     Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier made a motion that included: 1) direction to the Director of Airports to market and develop CCR while this process of looking at a replacement airport and reuse of Buchanan Field Airport was moving forward, 2) Have an outside consultant (Leigh Fisher Associates) review the RFP and provide comment on the RFP, and 3) Release the RFP on July 12, 2004, if no significant changes were noted by Leigh Fisher. 
     The final vote was unanimous in favor of the motion.  Leigh Fisher Associates has subsequently recommended only minor changes to the RFP.  Therefore, the RFP is expected to be released on July 12, 2004.  Developers will then have 120 days to submit their proposals.

Byron Master Plan Is Winding Down

     Phase II of the Byron Airport Master Plan, being conducted by Leigh Fisher Associates, is nearing completion. Phase II assessed and determined existing and future facility needs to accommodate both aviation and non-aviation activities at Byron Airport. The process also included developing a business plan to assist facilitating development on and around the airport on County-owned property.  The master plan will provide the blueprint for long-range aviation, aviation-related, and industrial development at Byron Airport.
     Public participation was a critical component of the process. To maximize access and involvement, a Project Steering Committee was created which constituted had over thirty members representing the business,

aviation, local and regional communities, environmental, and surrounding cities. Airport staff and consultants had four meetings with the Steering Committee and three evening public meetings during the master plan development process.
     In brief, the final master plan and business plan reports concluded that Byron Airport is well positioned for long-term growth of general aviation and air cargo dependent upon population growth, economic development and infrastructure improvements developing in the broader East Contra Costa County region. Regional development is necessary to bring both critical mass and infrastructure improvements nearer to the Byron Airport to help facilitate its aviation and economic development growth over time.