The San Bernardino International Airport Authority (SBIAA) Commission approved the final ground lease for the Eastgate Air Cargo Logistics Center at SBD International Airport on Dec. 30.
The huge project, which is part of the airport’s master plan to revitalize the former Norton Air Force Base, will bring thousands of jobs to the region, proponents said.
However, the controversial project drew opposition from community groups such as the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, which expressed concerns about the facility’s effect on the environment.
The commission’s decision concludes a multi-year environmental and community review process, which included input from the Federal Aviation Administration, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and many other resource agencies and community participants.
The decision represented a “major milestone” for Alliance California and Hillwood, the real estate development company said in a news release.
“Sustainability and job creation are at the core of Hillwood’s values,” said Hillwood Senior Vice President John Magness. “In partnership with nine highly-skilled labor unions, Eastgate will demonstrate the economic potential for environmentally responsible air cargo facilities at AllianceCalifornia.”
Eastgate increases the recommended solar power generating capacity while incorporating energy-efficient green buildings, electric vehicle charging stations, and electric aviation ground support equipment. The project will also underground existing overhead power lines, which lowers fire hazards.
The average wage of the jobs created at Eastgate is projected at $26 per hour and will include new aviation-specific occupations, the news release said.
AllianceCalifornia is committed to finding a tenant for Eastgate that offers robust benefits, including medical, dental, vision, paid leave, and other financial assistance, the news release said.
“Since 2002, AllianceCalifornia has created over 12,645 permanent jobs, surpassing the 10,000 jobs that were lost when Norton Air Force Base had to close its doors,” said SBD International Airport’s Executive Director Michael Burrows. “Almost 20 years in the making, this Eastgate project is an incredible chapter in our public-private partnership with Hillwood. On aeronautically-restricted property, this was one of the more challenging yet truly vital elements of our multi-year revitalization efforts. It is a major step towards innovating a green, sustainable air cargo complex that flies and drives our economy without the use of public subsidies.”
