Salinas Airport commissioners approve consideration of voluntary cleanup, discuss long-term lease prospects

The Salinas Airport Commission voted unanimously to accept consideration of a voluntary cleanup for an airport property and heard staff describe plans to pursue private partners and a long-term lease.

Commission Chairperson Bennett and Commissioners Bingham, Johnson and Schumacher voted aye after a motion to advance the item. The motion text in the public transcript was limited to moving the consideration forward; a formal mover and seconder were recorded but not named in the transcript.

Airport staff described that developer Rob Burrell and team member Krishna Wakefield are pursuing potential investors or builders to take on the site. Staff said the prospective structure on the site could be a long-term lease with the airport, “about 45 years, 50 years,” as stated in the meeting record.

Commissioners did not adopt a final redevelopment plan during the meeting. The discussion and subsequent vote authorized staff to continue due diligence and partner outreach rather than committing to a specific developer or final lease terms. No construction permits, financing approvals or binding leases were approved at the meeting.

Clarifying questions from commissioners focused on whether the developers had finalized plans for the site; staff reported that specific plans had not been finalized. The transcript does not specify environmental cleanup scope, responsible parties, funding sources for cleanup, or contract terms; those items remain to be developed in follow-up staff work.

The Commission moved on to other agenda items after the vote. The next Commission meeting was announced for March 27, 2025.

Ending: Commissioners indicated staff will continue outreach and reporting on the item at a future meeting; no binding agreements or construction approvals were made during this session.