Airport May Evict Non-Aviation Firms

Several non-aviation businesses could face eviction from Van Nuys Airport as the city’s Board of Airport Commissioners attempts to deal with what officials say is a huge demand for hangar space and aircraft parking.

The board is expected to vote today on two proposals that would replace the ousted businesses with expanded airport operations.

Among those facing eviction are a company that converted a dilapidated World War II hangar into a popular filming studio, and Galpin Motors, which stores a large number of new vehicles on airport land.

Syncro Aircraft Interiors has battled for more than two years to stave off eviction after it became successful in renting out portions of its cavernous three-acre hangar as a sound stage. Earlier this year, the company and airport officials negotiated an agreement, never finalized, that would allow Syncro and its filming enterprises to remain in the hangar under a 10-year lease, said Syncro attorney Douglas D. Winter. But airport staff members recommended a new policy late last week that encourages greater aviation uses for the four airports owned by the city’s Department of World Airports.

Citing a letter from the Federal Aviation Administration, airports spokeswoman Nancy Castles said a newly reorganized administrative staff is working to improve aviation activities. The pending eviction of Syncro and other enterprises “has come to a point where it’s a financial business decision,” she said.

Proposals before commissioners today involving three hangars at Van Nuys Airport could trigger the eviction of several other tenants, including Galpin Motors, which leases airport land to store hundreds of vehicles in its inventory.

The hangars and parking ramp areas “are public assets and we are obligated to maximize the assets at our city-owned properties,” Castles said.