Archer Aviation leases 50,000 sq ft at former Coca-Cola building; Salinas approves temporary access for testing

Airport staff told the Salinas Airport Commission Jan. 22 that Archer Aviation has signed a lease for about 50,000 square feet in the former Coca-Cola building on Vandenberg Road and will use a temporary access connection to move assembled aircraft to a nearby T&A hangar for testing.

"Archer Aviation assigned a 50,000 square foot lease with the former Coca Cola building," staff said, adding that the airport is working with the FAA on a through-the-fence agreement that could take roughly three months to finalize. In the interim, staff said the FAA authorized a temporary access route through the fence to the taxiway so non-airworthy aircraft assembled in the building can be tugged to the hangar for further preparation.

Staff described the temporary connection as a short, approximately 30-foot asphalt tie from the Koch Building parking area through the airport fence to an existing taxiway. The presenter said aircraft parts arrive in pieces (noted as arriving from Covington, Ga.), are assembled in the building, then towed to the T&A hangar where the master leaseholder and subtenants prepare them for taxi and eventual flight tests.

Commissioners asked whether the operation would use existing taxiways or a roadway and whether aircraft would be made airworthy inside the building; staff said the wingspan prevented overland towing and that assembled airframes are currently towed on asphalt and then prepared for taxi in the hangar. Staff also confirmed Archer is a subtenant at the T&A hangar and will generate ground-lease revenues and other fees for the airport.

The commission did not record a formal action approving the lease during the meeting; staff said the TTF agreement and FAA concurrence remain outstanding and will be pursued before long-term through-the-fence access is formalized.