Economic council seeks funds for sprinklers

MOSES LAKE — The Big Bend Economic Development Council is preparing a federal grant application that could lead to a $3 million upgrade of a key building at the Grant County International Airport.

According to BBEDC Executive Director Michael Buchanan, the Port of Moses Lake, operator of the airport, wants to have a working fire sprinkler system in the hangar that is to be used by the Boeing Company for its 747-8F cargo plane test flights. There is a system in the building, but it doesn’t function, Buchanan said.

“Japan Airlines used that building for more than 20 years. We call it the JAL building even now,” Buchanan said.

The grant application that the port will submit to the Economic Development Administration (federal) is for $1.5 million. Buchanan said the port would put up the other $1.5 million if the grant is awarded.

According to Buchanan, there has been a sprinkler system in the building since when the airport was Larson Air Force Base. He said the military never activated it.

“The Air Force was not obligated to comply with much of anything local,” Buchanan said.

According to Buchanan, Boeing is protecting its interests inside of the JAL Building by stationing a fire truck there full-time. He said the port believes prospective future users of the building will not likely want to make the same arrangement.

Engineers have estimated the cost of the upgrade at $3 million. It takes into consideration the parts of the existing system may still be used. The major cost of the upgrade will be a new pump, Buchanan said.