CAR Recap Summary Temporary Airport Tower.docx

CITY OF BUCKEYE 
                                                           Finance Department                   
 
530 E Monroe Ave. • Buckeye, Arizona 85326 
Phone 623-349-6165 • www.buckeyeaz.gov 
 
FY 2027 Congressional Directed Spending: Temporary Airport Tower Application – Summary Recap 
Project Description:   
The City of Buckeye seeks to address the safety concerns at the Buckeye Municipal Airport by submitting 
a grant application that entails installing a temporary airport control tower. Buckeye is one of the 
fastest-growing cities in the United States and is emerging as a major economic development hub within 
the Phoenix Metroplex. The Buckeye Municipal Airport does not currently have a control tower and has 
experienced significant increases in aircraft activity, with operational levels now comparable to many 
Arizona airports that already receive air traffic control services. Additionally, the Buckeye Municipal 
Airport has been accepted into the Federal Contract Tower Program, demonstrating a federal 
determination of need. However, the timeline to complete Federal Contract Tower siting, environmental 
clearance, and construction of a permanent tower is estimated at six to eight years. While the City 
intends to pursue a permanent tower, the FAA has indicated that controller funding cannot be 
supported until a facility is in place.  
 
Project Cost 
 $ 1,500,000 
 
Required Match  
 $ 150,000 
 
Grant Amount  
 $ 1,350,000 
 
Plans Once Grant Expires:  
 After all grant funds have been expended, any future maintenance for this temporary airport tower 
will become a part of the Airport Department’s budget until a permanent tower is in place. 
 
Objectives and Expected Outcomes  
 
The proposed and requested temporary airport control tower offers an immediate and practical 
approach to maintaining safe and efficient operations during the interim period until Buckeye can 
construct a permanent tower. The temporary tower will help prevent costly accidents and 
emergency response impacts until a permanent solution is advanced. 
 
Time Period for the Grant 
 FY 2027