OXNARD : Panel Backs Plan to Rejuvenate Airport

The Oxnard Airport Authority has approved a plan to rejuvenate the airport by refurbishing it and seeking ways to promote and expand services.

Prompted by concern of tenants who service and maintain planes, the authority adopted the plan to try to keep new business and bring back lost tenants, said Ventura County Supervisor Maggie Erickson Kildee, an authority member.

The authority also hopes to create hundreds of new jobs, and to sell Oxnard Airport’s services to neighboring counties, she said.

“I think that we would have a better return on our money out there,” Erickson Kildee said. She said there is no timeline for the improvements.

A steering committee will be formed to oversee the two-page plan, which the five-member authority approved unanimously last week.

Erickson Kildee said the face lift will start with activities such as painting buildings and replacing windows.

“The airport doesn’t look real sharp,” she said.

Under the plan, fuel contamination sites will be cleaned up, roofs and exteriors of several hangars will be refurbished, and tenants bordering the airport will be asked to get rid of trash around their property.

As part of a multimedia advertising and promotional campaign, a short videotape will be prepared about the county airport system, a theme or logo will be developed, and advertisements will be placed in trade magazines and newspapers.

Last month, planes made 9,264 trips in and out of the Oxnard Airport, said John Siverly, air traffic manager at the Oxnard tower.