FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Employees in Fresno’s air traffic control tower say upgrades to the building are long overdue, as the current building doesn’t meet modern standards.<\/p>\n
With the city’s approval of the environmental review, Fresno is now closer than ever to building a brand-new tower.<\/p>\n
Built in 1962, Fresno’s air traffic control tower has never undergone major renovations. However, it could be demolished after being rebuilt at a new location.<\/p>\n
“It has definitely exceeded a life cycle. It’s almost impossible at this point to fit a 2020s need of infrastructure technology into a 1960s building,” says Francisco Partida, Fresno Yosemite International Airport Interim Director of Aviation.<\/p>\n
According to the Department of Transportation, the average useful life of an air traffic control tower is 25 to 30 years, Fresno’s tower is over 60.<\/p>\n
Air traffic controllers tell Action News the building is in desperate need of upgrades.<\/p>\n
For months, they went without a working elevator, forced to climb seven flights of stairs to do their job.<\/p>\n
“When it’s hot, it’s really hard to cool down. When it’s cold, it’s really hard to warm up. And the elevator is a 1960s elevator; parts are no longer made or produced or kept in storage in inventory,” says Partida.<\/p>\n
The new tower will include new equipment, and the proposed location is not far from the current site on East Anderson Avenue. It will be located on a grass patch and adjacent parking lot.<\/p>\n
The project has been in the works for more than two years. Now, with the environmental review approved, it’s closer than ever to becoming a reality.<\/p>\n
“We know that we own the building, we know it’s from the 1960s. This is not a new effort. The city has tried, in early 2000s they started the process. What does it take to get a new tower for Fresno?” says Partida.<\/p>\n
The project is estimated to cost nearly $ 100 million, and the city still needs to secure federal funding to begin construction.<\/p>\n
“We need our federal partner to also commit. That they will participate in the funding strategy,” says Partida.<\/p>\n
“We are really excited for this project to continue advancing through the phases and become a reality,” says Partida.<\/p>\n
The city has until January 15th to apply for a grant through the Federal Transportation Agency. If approved, they’ll move forward with design and then construction.<\/p>\n
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