SR-506-000-01 (6)
RMD:AIR:F:\RESOURCE\SHARE\STAFFREPORTS\Doolittle Road Naming.doc
Council Meeting: March 11, 2003 Santa Monica, California
TO: City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Designation of an Airport Access Road in Honor of General James H.
Doolittle
Introduction
This report recommends that the City Council consider and approve the naming of an
Airport access road in the memory of General James H. Doolittle, a long-time Santa
Monica resident.
Background
The City Council, at its June 19, 2002 meeting, requested that the Airport Commission
consider naming an access road at the Airport in memory of General James H. Doolittle.
General James ?Jimmy? Doolittle (1896-1993) was one of the most decorated military
pilots of World War II. He was a California native and a resident of Santa Monica after
his retirement from the Air Force.
Among his many accomplishments were:
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First person to receive a doctorate in Aeronautics from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in 1924
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Wrote the first known study in aeronautics to combine laboratory data with flights
by a test pilot as his MIT dissertation
?
First cross country flight made by a pilot ? from Florida to San Diego
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?
First person to takeoff, fly and land an airplane entirely by instruments (before he
took off, ground crews secured a cover over his cockpit canopy to eliminate all
reference to the outside world).
?
In 1928 assisted in the development of fog flying equipment and in the
development of the now universally used artificial horizontal and directional
gyroscopes.
?
Involved in the testing and development of seaplanes, won several races and
trophies seaplane racing during the 1920?s
?
Advisor for the design and development of Floyd Bennett Airport in New York
City
?
Set the world speed record for aircraft in 1932 as well as winning the Bendix and
Thompson race trophies
?
Army coordinator for the conversion of auto plants for aircraft production, 1940-
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?
Led the first World War II bombing raid on Japan (16 B-25s launched from an
aircraft carrier) in April,1942, for which he received the Congressional Medal of
th
Honor. Subsequently he was commanding officer of the 12 Air Force in North
th
Africa and then in January 1944 became the commander of the 8 Air Force in
Europe and the Pacific
?
In 1951, became special assistant to the Air Force Chief of Staff on scientific
matters and was involved in establishing the Air Force ballistic missile and space
programs
?
First president of the Air Force Association
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?
Served as Chairman of the Board of Space Technologies Laboratories
Discussion
Staff reviewed various naming opportunities around the airport in the context of both
public visibility and the potential impact on tenants (i.e. leasehold address changes).
After careful consideration, staff identified an access road generally located at
rd
Airport Avenue. This service road is midpoint between 23 Street and Bundy Drive
and serves as linkage between Santa Monica Air Center (aka Barker Hangar) and
the City?s Park Division Maintenance Center. It is also a primary vehicular access
point to the lower taxiway area. The naming of this access road will not impact
leasehold addresses and will provide public visibility. This action is consistent with
the City?s policy for naming public facilities.
Airport Commission Review
During their regular meeting on July 22, 2002, the Airport Commission reviewed and
unanimously approved the naming of this Airport access road in honor of General
Doolittle. They also recommended the installation of an information kiosk as one of
the streetscape improvements associated with Airport Park. The Commission further
suggested that City Council contemplate the renaming of Airport Park or one of its
playing fields in General Doolittle?s honor.
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Budget/Financial Impact
There is no financial or budgetary impact, beyond the cost of signage, estimated at
$1,500 and available in account 33631.566210
Recommendation
Staff recommends City Council concur with the Airport Commission assessment and
designate the aforementioned access road: General James H. ?Jimmy? Doolittle
Way.
Prepared by: Jeff Mathieu, Director of Resource Management
Bob Trimborn, Airport Manager
Rod Merl, Senior Administrative Analyst
Attachment A
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Attachment A
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