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.
With the city’s approval of the environmental review, Fresno is now closer than ever to building a brand-new tower.
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.
“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.
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.
Air traffic controllers tell Action News the building is in desperate need of upgrades.
For months, they went without a working elevator, forced to climb seven flights of stairs to do their job.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
The project is estimated to cost nearly $ 100 million, and the city still needs to secure federal funding to begin construction.
“We need our federal partner to also commit. That they will participate in the funding strategy,” says Partida.
“We are really excited for this project to continue advancing through the phases and become a reality,” says Partida.
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.
