The 2.5 acre expansion of the Palm Springs Air Museum has received unanimous approval from the Palm Springs City Council. Designated for more historic aircraft parking, the extra space will be located on the south fence line.
“We are thrilled to announce that the Palm Springs Air Museum is soaring to greater heights with the recent unanimous approval from the Palm Springs City Council,” a museum Facebook post said.
The social media announcement went on to deliver “a round of applause to everyone who played a part in making this expansion a reality,” thanking the community for support that “fuels our passion for preserving aviation history.”
According to agenda items from the City Council’s meeting, the Air Museum has stood out as a prominent attraction for the entire Coachella Valley due to its “world-class aviation war history-themed setting”. Visitors are immersed in historical narratives through an array of static aircraft, artistic displays and an assortment of relics dating back to World War II and the Vietnam era.
The Air Museum already is comprised of three spacious hangars with integrated office spaces, an adjoining aircraft apron and multiple public parking zones, a staff report said. Notably, the Air Museum constructed a new 20,000-square-foot, temperature-controlled hangar in order to meet escalating public demand. In response to the need for added aircraft parking, the Air Museum successfully sought authorization for a 2.5-acre Airport Ground Lease, according to the report. The lease spans five years, and there is the potential for an extension.
The Palm Springs Air Museum officially opened its doors to the public in November 1996 with just two hangars, after Charlie Mayer, Pete Madison and Dr. Mort Gubin came up with the idea to open an aviation museum in 1993. In 1999, a third hangar was added to the museum, displaying a B-17 bomber, the museum website said.
Following this expansion, the museum would welcome no new hangars until 2017 with the opening of the Major General Kenneth P. Miles hangar, according to the website. The Palm Springs Air Museum, located at 745 North Gene Autry Trail, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
