Title
Recommendation to Approve Renewal of National Naval Aviation Museum Loan for Displayed Aircraft at Alameda Point.
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378. (Base Reuse and Economic Development 29061822)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) has two naval aircraft on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), for display at the North and East entrances of the former Alameda Naval Air Station (NAS). City staff are seeking approval from City Council to renew the loan for an additional five years.
BACKGROUND
The A4 Skyhawk greets visitors at the Main entrance to the former Naval station, at Main Street and Navy Way. Built in 1957, the A4 arrived at the ANAS in 1966, and was used as a “training bird”, clocking more than 2,000 hours of training flight time before being retired and placed at the North entrance in 1969. Damaged in a windstorm in 2008, volunteers spent over 4,200 hours repairing and reconditioning the plane with materials funded by the City. The Skyhawk was re-mounted on the Main Street pylon in 2011 and has greeted visitors since.
The A-7B Corsair II is displayed on West Atlantic Ave and Orion Street, in a one-acre open space, near the former East entrance of the Alameda NAS. Originally assigned to a Reserve Attack Squadron at the ANAS, after experiencing structural failure the plane was decommissioned and put on display in 1987. In 2010, during the Skyhawk restoration, volunteers restored the Corsair. After extensive restoration, the Corsair was re-mounted in 2013 and continues to greet visitors to Alameda Point.
DISCUSSION
The no-fee loan with NNAM is renewed every five years (Exhibit 1) and requires the City to provide basic maintenance and preservation of the planes, as well as complete a biennial certification. Staff anticipate soliciting bids for plane cleaning in the next two years.
Both planes served at ANAS, and now honor the history of the Naval Air Station, serving as gateways to Alameda Point.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve renewal of NNAM loan so that historic aircraft can continue to be displayed at the North and East entrances of Alameda Point.
• Do not approve renewal of NNAM loan. This action will result in the removal of the planes from Alameda Point with cost to be determined.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There are no additional financial impacts from renewing the loan beyond the City’s existing responsibility for maintenance and preservation of the artifacts.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. The preservation and display of these planes are consistent with the City’s Strategic Plan Priority to invest in transportation, infrastructure, economic opportunities, and historic resources, specifically the Alameda Point attraction and retention program.
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve renewal of NNAM loan for displayed aircraft at Alameda Point.
Respectfully submitted,
Abigail Thorne-Lyman
By,
Annie Cox, Management Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Loan