PLANNING HIGHLIGHTS

Ohkay Owingeh General Aviation Facility – A U.S. Economic Development Administration Project

In XXXX, NCNMEDD helped Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo develop a proposal to the U.S. Economic Development for additional work on its airport facility.  This project will create and nurture a new industrial cluster on Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo that derives its cluster core from the operations of the San Juan Pueblo General Aviation Facility (SJP Airport).  The SJP Airport was leased to the city of Española from 1964 until 1991, when the city declined to renew its lease.  At that point, the Pueblo closed the facility and began an extensive planning and renovation process that culminated in the re-opening of an improved and extended main runway on December 16, 2004.  That renovation, along with improved lighting and navigational aids, was financed by a $1.7 MM grant from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Fund and the New Mexico State Aviation Department. 

The new FAA certified runway is 5,000 feet long and 75 feet wide, with paved turnarounds at each end and a 650-foot x 150-foot aircraft parking apron.  The original airport masterplan completed in 1993 and the update completed in 2004 describe the economic opportunities inherent in the airport’s location and development.  Rather than aiming at scheduled passenger service, the Pueblo has documented a market for general aviation and private planes, has worked with firms such as FEDEX, UPS, DHL and other distributors to understand their needs and is an active participant with New Mexico Economic Development Department and its staff in their efforts to attract aerospace activity.  Other business opportunities include space for wildland fire suppression equipment and the National Guard.

The next phase of development will require full utilities, basic hangar and administrative space and full security for the facility.  With that in place, the Pueblo will be able to offer refueling and repair, and is prepared to lease facilities to private plane owners, charter operations and distribution companies.   As New Mexico increases its efforts in this sector, a fully equipped airport in San Juan will be an asset to the state and the region.

NCNMEDD assisted in the development of the proposal and has served as grant administrator during the construction period.

North Central NM Economic Development District, District 2
P.O. Box 5115 Santa Fe, NM 87502
Phone: 866-699-4927, 505-827-7313 Fax: 505-827-7414
Tim Armer, Executive Director