Huntington Beach City Council Approves Pacific Airshow Agreement

News Summary

The Huntington Beach City Council has voted 6-1 to approve a long-term agreement for the Pacific Airshow. The agreement grants exclusive rights to operators Code Four for 10 years, with potential extensions, while addressing environmental concerns and parking revenue sharing. The airshow, scheduled for October, is anticipated to attract visitors and boost the local economy despite ongoing debates about its financial impact and environmental responsibilities.

Huntington Beach City Council Greenlights Long-Term Agreement for Pacific Airshow

In a significant move that many are buzzing about, the Huntington Beach City Council has given the green light to a new agreement with the operators of the popular Pacific Airshow. In a decisive 6-1 vote, council members approved a deal ensuring that the airshow can take place in the city for up to 25 years—that’s right, nearly three decades of thrilling aerial displays!

What’s in the Deal?

So, what does this long-term agreement entail? It grants exclusive rights to the airshow operators, Code Four, to host the event annually over the next 10 years, with options to extend this arrangement for three additional 5-year terms. Alongside this, the operators will now be relieved of the burden of paying for permitting costs or extra fees for city personnel for the airshow.

However, the city’s financial participation isn’t going away anytime soon. City Manager Travis Hopkins estimates that Huntington Beach will need to allocate about $253,000 for public safety services related to the airshow this year alone. This expense is part of a broader conversation about how to balance the economic benefits of the event with its costs.

Environmental Considerations

Coastal Commission has mandated that more than $1 million be set aside for an environmental impact report and annual wildlife monitoring, aiming to ensure that both local ecosystems and event attendees are looked after.

Economic Impact Debates

Councilmember Chad Williams raised questions about the claimed economic benefits. He has been vocal about needing more rigorous audits and scrutiny on the projected figures before the city commits to such a long-term contract.

690,000 attendees and brought in a direct economic impact of approximately $70 million. While the numbers sound impressive, Williams remains skeptical, arguing a one-year agreement would be more prudent for further analysis.

Parking and Revenue Sharing

3,000 city-owned parking spaces until 2030. After that, the city will take home $10 per space and $100 for each camping space, with adjustments for inflation moving forward. It’s a deal that seems to cater both to tourism and community revenues in the long haul.

Looking Ahead

October 3-5 this year, and a key part of the new agreement involves annual assessments of the environmental impacts tied to the event. Council discussions even brought up comparisons with similar airshows in other cities, such as Fleet Week in San Francisco, which has proven to generate considerable economic returns as well.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Huntington Beach’s Pacific Airshow Takes Flight Amid Controversy

Additional Resources

• Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach Deal Locks Up Pacific Airshow
• Google Search: Huntington Beach Pacific Airshow
• Orange County Register: Huntington Beach Council Approves Deal
• Wikipedia: Pacific Airshow
• LAist: Huntington Beach Air Show Coastal Commission Approval
• Google News: Huntington Beach Air Show

Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH

The Huntington Beach Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntington Beach, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Huntington Beach Surf City USA Marathon, the U.S. Open of Surfing, Fourth of July celebrations at the Huntington Beach Pier, and community festivals at Huntington Beach Central Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visit Huntington Beach, plus leading businesses in retail, hospitality, and outdoor recreation that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.