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:
·
First person
to receive a doctorate in Aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology in 1924
·
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
·
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, 1940-41
·
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 Honor.
Subsequently he was commanding officer of the 12th Air Force in
North Africa and then in January 1944 became the commander of the 8th
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
·
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 Airport Avenue. This service
road is midpoint between 23rd 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.
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
Attachment A
