In early 2012 a number of capital improvements were implemented at the Airport. By June of 2012 the airport’s aviation fuel farm and self-service fuel island were upgraded and by year end parallel taxiway Charlie, adjacent to Runway Niner-Two Seven and west of Runway Two-Two Zero received a FAA ACIP grant to rehabilitate the long spalled movement surface.
Unfortunately environmental challenges delayed the taxiway rehabilitation effort for eighteen months with completion in 2014. Simultaneously during this time the terminal building’s lobby, UNICOM room and restrooms were renovated.
The planning for the terminal efforts began shortly after the closure of the Airport’s iconic restaurant, Zuniga’s.
Within four months a new tenant was selected from a competitive process, approved by the City Council to lease the restaurant facility and renovation begun. In August 2012, Props Restaurant & Lounge opened offering breakfast, lunch, and dinners as well as a full bar. Props upgraded the exterior patio seating area to include a heated deck offering an improved view of the airport’s flight line.
April 2014 saw the departure of Props Restaurant, but by year end the Airport reached agreement with local eatery Cafe Ella’s of Watsonville to bring a new venture to the field. Ella’s-at-the-Airport opened February 2015.
Take a look at what the
terminal lobby, restaurant and observation deck look like today.
Over the next three fiscal years (2014, 2015 and 2016) the Municipal Airport instituted efforts to bring the Airport Chapter of the Municipal Code (lasted updated in 1978) and the Airport Regulations (last updated in 1997) up to date. The focus on procedures, policies sand process provided the Airport an opportunity to "bank" annual FAA ACIP entitlement funds, update the Airport Layout Plan and prepare a three year plan to address deferred maintenance on a field wide basis.
Beginning in 2017 and continuing to the end of 2019 the Municipal Airport: (1) replaced aged Visual Approach Slope Indicators (VASIs) with modern Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPIs), (2) upgraded the runway, taxiway and rotating beacon lighting, (3) brought the runway and taxiway signage and markings up to 2020 FAA Airport Design standards, (4) rehabilitated the primary (Runway Two Two-Zero), Crosswind (Niner Two-Seven)
Runway and associated parallel taxiways. These major efforts were planned, sequenced and scheduled over a three years period and executed over a three period, completed on time and on budget.
In 2020 the Municipal Airport applied for and was awarded a $550,000 FAA grant to update the 2003 Airport Master Plan. This plan is a fundamental tool required for an airport's long term success. As of the end of 2021 the plan is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2023.
