March Inland Port Public Airport (KRIV)

On September 4, 2013, the March Joint Powers Commission, at its Study Session Meeting held at the March Joint Powers Authority's conference center, approved staff's recommendation to award a construction contract to Granite Construction Company to construct general aviation support facilities at March Inland Port.

Granite Construction Company was one of three companies to bid on the $8 million dollar project. Granite's Vice President for the Southern California Region, Mr. David A. Donnelly, was elated to hear the news that Granite would be constructing the aviation facilities. Mr. Donnelly indicated that Granite's San Diego office will manage this project.

After nearly four and one half years of planning, the project now has a green light. FAA funding will help support the costs to construct the modest facilities. The March Inland Port Airport Authority is governed by the March Joint Powers Authority and manages the airport and the capital improvement projects. The Authority will apply their accumulated FAA entitlement reserves to fund a portion of the project while a special FAA Military Airport Program will dedicate another portion to help pay for construction of the project. In addition, the airport Sponsor's (Airport Authority) is required to pay 10% of total project costs above its entitlement contribution.

Planning for the project was extensive and cost nearly $1.2 million. The Granite bid was $7.6 million, bringing the total cost to construct to $8.8 million. When the Project is complete next summer, it will facilitate business aviation aircraft and private aircraft. This Project also helps meet the property deed covenants and FAA Grant Assurances to be open to the public. In 1995, the property was conveyed to the March Joint Powers Authority specifically for civil aviation and for the benefit of the public. In 1997, a Joint Use Agreement was established for civil aircraft use of the military airport; which had just been realigned from an "active military base" to an Air Force Reserve Base.

The project is expected to offer the areas around the airport (which continue to realize significant development, specifically in warehouse, distribution and logistics facilities) a public utility that will facilitate the needs of surrounding development and support economic growth.

It is anticipated that ground will be broke in December and will be ready for move-in some 300 days later.

Firms involved in this project:

Arcadis US, Inc. - Construction Management

C&S Engineering - Environmental and engineering