On Monday March 9th, at a Special Meeting of the Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority (SOCAA), the Board that oversees the Sedona Airport on behalf of Yavapai County voted twice to further the development of the airport and to secure its financial future.
The first vote was to accept a loan offer from WIFA (Water Infrastructure Finance Authority) of Arizona of $1.67M at a rate of 3.784% for a term of 23 years. The vote passed in a 5-1 vote of the 7-member board.
The second vote was to accept the bid of Ligon Excavation to perform the work. The project will dramatically expand the fire-suppression water capacity on Airport Mesa. Capacity will increase from 90,000 gallons currently, to 340,000 gallons after construction of the new 250,000-gallon tank. This motion again passed by a vote of 5-1. Construction will take approximately 11 months and is planned to begin in the second quarter of this year.
When construction begins, it will end a freeze on vertical build on Airport Mesa that has lasted since 1993. Sky Ranch Lodge already has plans for expansion. The additional fire-suppression water also opens the potential for new hangars and construction of other facilities. In addition to unlocking further air- and land-side development of the Airport, this project will facilitate both wildfire firefighting on-and-around Airport Mesa and provide additional water resources to the Sedona Fire District.
Airport Manager Ed Rose said, “This critical safety infrastructure improvement provides expanded fire suppression water capacity to the airport mesa and our community. The airport hosts firefighting crews seasonally. This improvement will also support any local firefighting effort. The improvement also provides opportunities for expanding aircraft storage facilities, hosting new businesses, and growing the airport’s economic contribution to the community.
Member of the Airport Advisory Committee, and local businesswoman Mary Leas said, “It’s a great project for both the airport and the community, and I fully support it.
SOCAA Board President, Pam Fazzini said “I praise the efforts of General Manager Ed Rose in doggedly seeking out the means to fund this project. Construction of critical infrastructure made possible by this loan is the culmination of many years work. Having sufficient fire suppression water as determined by fire district regulations green-lights development which literally has been on hold for decades – development which will support the needs of the community as well as the airport going forward. General aviation airports such as Sedona Airport are required to be self-supporting, and they provide so much in return to benefit regional transportation, the local economy, safety, and needs of the community. I am happy to see the hard work put into making this project possible result in a much-needed improvement which will have far-reaching benefits.”
1 Comment
Awesome for the commercial aspect. Just hope it doesn’t mean more unnecessary and potentially hazardous military aircraft playing Top Gun over our residential areas. Nearly every military aircraft flown today has a history of being Widow Maker Death Traps for the occupants as well as anyone unfortunate to be in their path when they crash. Yes civilian aircraft can, has and does crash/emergency land to and have done so twice this year here in Sedona. But military aircraft are heavier, have a higher flash point jet fuel and generally carry weapons and ammunition on board (whether live or training). Just not something Sedona needs and training maneuvers over residential areas is prohibited by military regulations anyway.
Personally I think the state and county are missing an extremely important use for an expanded Sedona and Cottonwood airport. Having State owned Fire Suppression and SAR Aircraft permanently stationed at both would greatly improve and enhance the ability to knock out wildfires before they become unmanageable as they rapidly do so often. We’d pay far less for our safety if they did so than we currently do when we taxpayers fund Haliburton and CA Fire to come to our rescue every year.