Del Norte County Airport (CEC) / Jack McNamara Field

Project overview

Del Norte County Regional Airport (CEC) is a commercial airport owned by the county and operated by the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority (BCRAA) through a joint-powers agreement among six entities. It provides airfield, terminal, and support facilities for scheduled commercial airlines, air charter/taxi, and general aviation operations. In 2010 it experienced 14,341 enplanements, yet its staff is small; consisting of three to five TSA agents, several airline staff members, and an airport office of two.

Vanir is serving as the program/project/construction manager for landside and airside improvements. The project consists of a new terminal; runway safety areas; runway lighting and stripping; access roads and other on/off-site infrastructure; 64 acres of wetlands mitigation; and erosion control.

An airport designed around the environment

The airport’s minimal maintenance and operation resources were important factors as the design moved forward. With a coastal site, it was imperative that the impacts of extreme marine weather and salt air be considered, in addition to the environmental aspect.

The Vanir team has worked with the BCRAA and airport stakeholders to develop a program, space relationships, and design responding to the unique environment, community, and operation—resulting in a high-performance design meeting all parameters.