Will Not Accept Federal Monies Available To 'All Airports'

Those AIP grants mentioned in a story elsewhere here on Aero-News today? Well, with the closure of the Santa Monica Airport well in the works, though not a done deal, the city of Santa Monica is reportedly spurning the FAA when it comes to potential federal grant money that could help the airport as long as it remains open.

The Santa Monica Airport Association writes on its blog that the city has turned up its nose at federal grants available to all airports, while accepting federal money for other projects. That means homeowners who live near the airport are unable to get federal assistance to help insulate their homes against airport noise, among other things.

The SMAA says that the "shenanigans" by the city government "cost Santa Monica taxpayers in waste, inefficiency and poor local government."

SMAA is a party to a federal lawsuit that is seeking to undo the deal made in January between the city and the FAA to close the airport on December 31, 2028. The agreement also allows the city to shorten the runway to 3,500 feet in an effort to restrict jet traffic operating at the airport.

A pending state lawsuit would negate the council resolution of January 2017 to close the airport. Both are expected to be decided late this year or early in 2018.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.santamonicaairport.info