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City Council Report
City Council Meeting: Fel:lruary 27,2997
Agenda Item: ~ F
To:
Mayor and City Council
From:
Robert Trimborn, Acting Airport Director
Subject:
Authorization to Approve the Development of the Douglas Aircraft Company DC-3
Monument Plaza at the Southwest Corner of the intersection of Airport Avenue
and Donald Douglas Loop South at Santa Monica Airport
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council conceptually approve the development of the Douglas
DC-3 Monument Plaza at the southwest corner of the intersection of Airport Avenue and Donald
Douglas Loop South at Santa Monica Airport.
Executive Summary
The DC-3 Monument Plaza will create an educational focal point and public gathering place
directly across the street from Airport Park providing a complimentary historical context. The
aircraft will be mounted ten feet off the ground (for security and safety reasons) and subtly lit at
night (both inside and out). Informational kiosks will be located at the base of the monument
detailing the history of the aircraft and its unique relationship to the City of Santa Monica, the
Douglas Aircraft Company and its history and relationship with the City of Santa Monica and the
Airport (see attached DC-3 Monument Plaza rendering). If approved, staff will return to Council
in the near future with schematic plans and specifications for approval.
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Background
On September 9,2003 the Museum of Flying offered to donate a Douglas DC-3 aircraft to the
City of Santa Monica to be used as a historical monument. In addition the Museum donated
$50,000 as seed money to establish the DC-3 Monument Fund within the Museum of Flying's
non-profit structure for the aircraft's rehabilitation and site preparation. On June 15, 2004, the
City Council accepted the Douglas DC-3 aircraft.
The Douglas Aircraft Company DC-3 is one of the most influential aircraft in the history of
aviation and is routinely ranked as one the top-10 most important aircraft of all time. The DC-3
donated by the Museum of Flying was built by the Douglas Aircraft Company at Santa Monica
Airport in 1942 and was one of over 13,000 produced in Santa Monica. The Douglas DC-3
spawned the birth of the modern commercial air transportation system and was instrumental in
the success of the Douglas Aircraft Company and its operations in Santa Monica. For decades
Douglas Aircraft was the largest employer in Santa Monica.
Hundreds of volunteers labored on the extensive exterior restoration project for over two years
preparing the aircraft for its permanent display at the Airport. The restoration project was
accomplished at no-cost to the City and was fully funded by generous donations from Museum
of Flying, FedEx, local service clubs, colleges, corporations, and individuals. A three column
mounting system has been designed to support the aircraft in the proposed plaza area facing
the intersection of Airport Avenue and Donald Douglas loop South.
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On December 17, 2005, the City held a groundbreaking ceremony at the proposed site. During
the event the fully renovated DC-3 Spirit of Santa Monica was unveiled to the public to great
acclaim. The next phase of the DC-3 Monument project will be the development of the working
plans and drawings for the monument plaza site, its public amenities and the aircraft mounting
system.
Budget/Financial Impact
The construction of the of the Douglas Aircraft DC-3 Monument Plaza will be funded by private
donations through the Museum of Flying's DC-3 Monument Fund and are tax deductible. Future
operation and maintenance expenses are expected to be minimal and consistent with those
associated with monuments. Future year budgets will include $3,000 per year to clean and
maintain the monument.
Prepared by:
Robert D. Trimborn, Acting Airport Director
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
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Attachment: DC-3 Monument Plaza Rendering
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DC-3 Monument Plaza Rendering
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Spirit ot Santa Monica F ark - Santa Monica
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