Up to 32 hangars are planned for a new development at Jacqueline Cochran Airport (TRM) in La Quinta, Calif.
The hangars, dubbed Penny Lane, will range from 2,100 square feet up to 15,000 square feet in the Penny Lane general aviation development.
Up to 32 hangars are planned at the 4.5-acre airport site. Amenities include the Cloud Nine social area and a mini-park. All the hangars are two-stories with floor to ceiling glass walls on the second floor, observation decks, crew quarters, flight kitchens, pilot’s ready room, office, flight planning, memorabilia room and more. The outdoor social area will include a fountain and aviation sculpture, BBQ center, gas-fed fire pit, shade covers, conversation area and patio/entertainment area suitable for catered events and VIP functions.
“Last year I was approached by a San Diego businessman with a great idea,” said Penny Nelson, general manager and part owner of Tradition Aviation FBO with her business partner Ann Goodwyn. “Karl Higgins asked me if the airport and the desert was ready for an upper end, amenity rich, but affordable hangar project that would be a special place. ‘Yes, absolutely’ I said. Ann Goodwyn and I have been operating our FBO business at the airport for years. We need new business people on the airport and bold ideas like a fun place for aviators. Karl came forward with an incredible site plan that desert aviators and snowbird pilots alike will both love. I’m just tickled they named it after me.”
Colby Cataldi of the Riverside County Economic Development Authority, which owns and operates the Jackie Cochran Airport, said the new planned aviation project is long overdue and a welcome new addition. “The Penny Lane Aviation project looks like it should be a home run. Penny Lane Aviation has generated a very good buzz at the airport. The project has caught the attention of many local pilots and also snowbird aviators who all want affordable new hangars with custom features and a great social setting where they can make new friends. Riverside County Airports is looking forward to helping the developers make their dream a reality at Jackie Cochran Airport soon.”
The Penny Lane Aviation project is the work of developer Karl Higgins and his development partners at Montecito Aviation Group based in San Diego.
“The Jackie Cochran Airport is uniquely positioned for this project,” he said. “Right next door are two very complimentary uses that aviators and their families also love — the Thermal Motorsports Club and HITS, the equestrian center. Penny Lane Aviation will be right in the middle of a well-managed corporate airport and next door to exciting recreation with race cars and horses. Add the shopping, spas and golf that are in the desert and we have an unmatched opportunity. We have a very clear vision supported by market research and backed up by strong hangar reservations. We’re looking forward to building a project that is affordable, fun, architecturally exciting and a destination for aviators in a world class desert setting. We expect Penny Lane Aviation to be the signature aviation project at Jackie Cochran Airport.”
Nelson said if all goes according to plan, construction could start by year end 2012 with the first hangars ready for occupancy by mid-2013. Pricing will start in the low $400,000 up to $1 million.
For more information: 760-399-4300, PennyLaneAviation.com
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