Construction of the project has no negative impact on the General Fund. The total estimated construction cost is $11.7 million, which will be funded by a combination of funds received from the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program (estimated at $6.1 million) and Caltrans (estimated at $150,000), with the balance paid by the Airport Enterprise Fund (estimated at $5.45 million).
The Buchanan Field Airport Master Plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors on October 28, 2008, identifies a new general aviation terminal on the capital improvement list. The new terminal will replace the existing terminal at the north end of John Glenn Drive. Plans and specifications for the construction of the terminal, along with landscaping and parking, have been prepared by The KPA Group. The design plans are dated November 20, 2020, consist of 206 pages, and are available from the County Public Works Department upon request.
Environmental review was performed and the project was categorically exempt from the review requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per section 15302(b). The notice of exemption was filed on December 5, 2019 with the Contra Costa County Clerk.
The new terminal will be a single-story, steel building consisting of approximately 18,657 square feet. The new terminal will include space for the Airports Division Administrative staff, Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) staff and equipment, public space to support scheduled/unscheduled air service providers, office space for aviation businesses, and general public meeting space. The Airports Division currently rents office space from one of the airport businesses and moving those functions into the new terminal will accommodate the additional office space needed, while resulting in long-term savings to the Airport Enterprise Fund.
The estimated total cost of the project is $11.7 million. On April 28, 2020, the Board authorized Airport staff to submit applications to the FAA and Caltrans for grants for the construction of the ARFF and general aviation components of the new terminal. Airport staff expects the FAA Airport Improvement Program will contribute $6.1 million and Caltrans to contribute $150,000. The remaining balance of approximately $5.45 million will be paid by the Airport Enterprise Fund. The Airport Enterprise Fund will also pay the added costs to complete the space including furnishings, window coverings, and the like.
The minimum wage rates paid on this project will be the general prevailing wage rates, which are on file with the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors.
If the design plans and the bid documents are not approved, the County will not be able to solicit bids for the construction of a new terminal to replace the existing terminal. The existing terminal does not include space for ARFF staff and equipment or administrative offices for Airport staff.