Wednesday October 28, 10:59 am Eastern Time
Site plans have been unveiled for an international air cargo center and business hub at the former George Air Force Base by STIRLING, a Laguna Hills-based strategic, full-service, value-added development company specializing in master-planning and major land redevelopment.
In a joint participation arrangement with the Southern California International Airport Authority (SCIAA), Stirling's proposal to market and develop the Southern California International Airport (SCIA), a 4,000-acre master-planned business and industrial airport complex located in the City of Victorville, has been accepted by SCIAA whose board is comprised of the Victorville City Council members. Preparation of the final contract documentation is currently underway. SCIA is currently managed by the SCIAA.
A major milestone for Stirling, SCIA will be a flagship project for the company in the Inland Empire. While this project represents one of the first ventures for Stirling, a company newly-formed by principals Dougall Agan and Chris Downey, it will benefit from their 30 years of experience developing master-planned communities in Southern California.
Well positioned to serve as the second international gateway for Southern California, SCIA will support increasing international air cargo operations, forecasted to grow from 2.65 to 8.9 million tons per year over the next 16 years (SCAG 1998 Regional Transportation Plan). Stirling's goal is to invest $418 million to develop SCIA into a worldwide distribution hub and successful business and industrial park, bringing 15,000 jobs to the Victor Valley.
Currently, SCIA has two (10,047-foot and 9,136-foot) runways that benefit from 360 days of good flying weather and 2,000 acres of land designated for facilities development. It also features a full service fixed based operator (FBO) and flight facility that provides passenger, cargo and fueling services for general aviation and commercial transport aircraft, including 747-400 aircraft and over 125 acres of concrete aircraft parking apron on the flight line. At completion, SCIA has a projected capability to handle more than 4-million tons of air cargo per year, a major portion of the region's forecasted growth.
Located in the City of Victorville, approximately 10 minutes off Interstate 15 in the southeast corner of the Mojave Desert, SCIA is approximately 40 miles northeast of Los Angeles County and 40 minutes north of Ontario Airport (ONT). There are major trucking and rail routes through the Victor Valley, providing access to the major Southern California, U.S., and Mexico markets.
Target Industries and Business Incentives
Commencing development activities in January 1999, target industries for this worldwide distribution hub include international air cargo; aircraft maintenance & manufacturing; aerospace research & manufacturing; manufacturing & distribution; as well as business and commercial uses.
For Stirling, a primary focus will be on incorporating a diverse set of uses into the business and industrial park that can all benefit from close proximity to the airport amenity including corporate headquarters, biotechnology, multi-media and entertainment. In addition, Stirling plans to incorporate an existing executive golf course and hospital into the master plan.
SCIA is particularly attractive to business because of a number of pro-business development programs including the LAMBRA Business Enterprise Zone which provides a variety of special tax credits to businesses relocating to the former Air Force base, as well as a redevelopment project area providing assistance and incentives including site and infrastructure improvements. The project will also benefit from the development of an 1,800-acre Foreign Trade Zone at SCIA.
Already recognized as a lucrative location for business, SCIA has attracted 35 businesses that are currently operating in the airport, employing more than 600 people. Selected companies include:
``As the second largest megalopolis in the United States, Southern California is limited to only one international airport, while the New York area alone is served by more than four international capacity airports. This shows an immediate need for a second worldwide gateway into this region and Victorville is the best place to do it.''
Stirling is a land development company based in Laguna Hills. The principals of Stirling have over 30 years real estate development experience and for the last eight years have been affiliated with the Hon Development Company and its real estate-affiliated development businesses. Chris Downey and Dougall Agan have been responsible for over $2 billion in development activity on large-scale land development projects in Orange and Los Angeles Counties, including Foothill Ranch, a 2,700-acre self-contained residential, retail and business community located in south Orange County, Calif.
Amies Communications Jessica Spaulding or Rebecca Hall 949/863-1910, Ext. 22 or 15 jessica@amies.com / rebecca@amies.comClick here for August 2002 aerial photo of approximately 250 commercial airlines parked at SCLA
Click here for more on George Air Force Base conversion
Click for information on March Air Force Base conversion