Plans have been announced to develop an Aviation Innovation Center at the Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK). It’s a new program with goals of advancing clean, new aviation technology and has been proposed to act as a hub for studying new aviation and advanced air mobility technologies. This includes electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and would provide startups and existing companies with the resources they need to develop, test, and install clean and lower sound aviation solutions. The city of Livermore plans to engage with others such as, industry stakeholders, potential partners, and aviation innovators to explore the possibilities of this new program.
This airport was originally built to to serve as a private airfield in 1929, and in 1942, it was converted into a government owned, naval auxiliary airfield which back then was known as the Livermore Sky Ranch. Following World War II, those who worked for the city of Livermore operated the airfield under a lease with the Navy until 1953, when the airfield was acquired by the city. Before then, they would provide auxiliary air service to support the then Livermore Naval Air Station, which has since become the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. It was then relocated from its previous location on what is now Rincon Avenue to the current location near Airway Boulevard and was opened in December, 1965. They made several improvements to it which includes; hangars and T-shelters, an air traffic control tower, a precision instrument approach to Runway 25R, and an extension to the main runway.
July, 1963 is when Livermore’s City Council passed a resolution to accept title Livermore Sky Ranch via a quitclaim deed, and in November of that year the Navy passed title to the City. Due to the facility being so close to the downtown area, the Sky Ranch area became highly desirable for other uses. Livermore employed a consultant to finalize a Master Plan and Site Selection Study for a more recently developed airport in 1958. After considering many other sites, it was chosen and Livermore Sky Ranch was sold to a company in San Ramon for residential development. The proceeds that came from the sale matched federal grant monies to complete the new site.
Livermore Municipal Airport (LVK) was complete and ready for use in December, 1965. When it was finished it included 257 acres, a 4,000-foot asphalt runway with a parallel taxiway, an aircraft parking apron with 100 tie-downs, a beacon, a lighted wind cone and segmented circle, and 50 based aircraft. And in 1970 they constructed their first hangars and T-shelters, and later in 1973 they added an air traffic control tower. Since then the city has spent millions of dollars on improvements for this airport and they have paid off as this airport has come to be one of the most popular in our area. This airport operates as part of a Division of the Public Works Department and serves private, business and corporate customers and tenants.
In a recent news release the city has announced that their main goal is to turn Livermore into a leader in aviation innovation and advance air mobility. This is hoped to create new opportunities for residents and local businesses, as well as more employment options in our region. In a recent statement from city Mayor John Marchand he said, “Livermore’s Aviation Innovation Center will reinforce Livermore’s role as a regional innovation leader,” as it is planned to establish new opportunities and start-up businesses to introduce and later test clean and quiet options for aviation. They are also making it a point to remain conscious of the community’s environmental concerns with noise and leaded fuel.
The development of our city’s aviation brings promising potential for modern advancements and new chances to make a positive difference in our area.
Additional Sources:
https://patch.com/california/livermore/livemore-plans-develop-airport-aviation-innovation-center
https://www.acgov.org/cda/planning/generalplans/documents/LVK_Ch4_Revised_120111.pdf
https://www.livermoreca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/1581/637190663048900000
