The Mojave Air and Space Port is operated by the East Kern Airport District whose directors met for a regular meeting July 17.
The directors formally welcomed their new director of Economic Development, Karina Drees.
CEO Stuart Witt has approved two items to improve facilities, using the authority granted him by the board, for projects costing up to $25,000.
Replacement of swelling asphalt at the base of the control tower with reinforced concrete is underway, at a cost of about $11,700. Another project is to seal cracks at various areas of the airport, at a cost of about $8,600.
The airport administration building office layout has been revised. On the airport’s north side, water and electrical service lines are being revised and they will now run underground.
Additionally, work on the rehabilitation of the old pool building continues. Ultimately, Witt hopes that it will become a focal point for a revitalized Mojave community.
Mojave is working to complete arrangements for an FAA Airport Improvement Project Grant. Work was started last fall, and engineered plans and specifications have been completed. On July 17 potential contractors came to a pre-bid job walk. Bid opening is anticipated by about Aug. 1, and FAA authorization is anticipated in late August.
The project is reconstruction of the General Aviation Runway 4-22, including restoring the edge lighting system, pavement markings, and guidance signage per current requirements. The runway was originally constructed during World War II and is at 4,746 feet long and 350 feet wide. Recently only the central 50 feet has been maintained.
The AIP will involve removal of all existing pavement, over-excavation, lime-treatment, and recompaction of the runway subgrade, and then installation of crushed rock base material and new asphalt pavement.
A new edge lighting system will also be installed.
