Castle Air Museum Aviation Pavilion Project (RSO 0272-25, SP 25-10-0200, AR 25-10-0300)

The Castle Air Museum Aviation Pavilion Project entails the development of a 31.14-acre site at 5050 Santa Fe Drive in Atwater, California, under approved entitlements for Resolution No. 0272-25, Site Plan Review No. 25-10-0200, and Architectural Review No. 25-10-0300. The project is being led by Span Construction and Engineering, Inc., with the City of Atwater serving as the lead agency, and involves a three-phase construction effort to expand the museum’s footprint and public offerings. Phase one includes the construction of a 60,000-square-foot Pavilion Building with 28,000 square feet of roof-covered space and the relocation of the 9,600-square-foot SR-71 Hanger from Beale Air Force Base. Phase two adds a 50,000-square-foot Pavilion Building, a 10,000-square-foot Café/Gift Shop, 30,000 square feet of additional roof-covered area, and a parking lot accommodating 177 vehicles. Phase three completes the plan with the construction of an 80,000-square-foot Pavilion Building. The site is zoned for commercial, institutional, and path uses under the Atwater General Plan, and construction is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026, with operations expected to commence in 2028. Compliance with environmental regulations is central to the project’s execution, as it is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and aligned with state building codes including Title 24 and CALGreen. Mitigation measures are required to address potential impacts on wildlife, including the San Joaquin kit fox and special-status bird species such as the Burrowing Owl and Swainson’s Hawk, necessitating pre-construction surveys, wildlife monitoring, and avoidance buffers. Noise levels are regulated to remain below 60 dB CNEL in accordance with local guidelines, and air quality standards limit emissions of NOx, ROG, and PM10 as dictated by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Hazardous material investigations must adhere to DTSC and CUPA protocols, and construction sites must enforce restrictions on firearms and pets to protect local ecosystems. Waste management and trash storage procedures are specified to prevent environmental contamination. Although the project involves significant construction and infrastructure improvements,