DEPARTMENT: Aviation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Russell J. Handy
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Aircraft Display Agreement with Witte Museum
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes the Aviation Director to negotiate and execute an aircraft display agreement between the City of San Antonio (City) and the Witte Museum (Witte) for the display of a restored Curtiss JN-4D "Jenny" biplane ca. 1918 valued $1,000,000.00 in the San Antonio International Airport. As part of the agreement, the Witte will loan the City the airplane to be installed in the ceiling of the Terminal B ticket lobby. The City will provide accompanying informative material about the rich aviation history in San Antonio.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Witte Museum (Witte) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote lifelong learning through innovative exhibitions, programs and collections in natural history, science and South Texas heritage. The Witte has agreed to loan the City a restored Curtiss JN-4D biplane circa 1918 that is valued at $1,000,000.00. The Curtiss JN-4D biplane was utilized as a trainer for the U.S. Air Service during World War I but most widely recognized for its role as a mail-carrying airplane in the 1920s. Katherine Stinson, a member of the Stinson family that Stinson Municipal Airport is named after, flew this type of aircraft for fundraising tours for the Red Cross during World War I.
On June 30, 2016, City Council authorized the appropriation of $353,877.00 through Ordinance 2016-06-30-0509 to this project in order to provide the necessary engineering work for the development of the agreement with the Witte.
The Agreement
The Witte will pack and transport the airplane to the San Antonio International Airport (Airport) and be responsible for all insurance coverage during the transport and delivery of the aircraft components to the airport. In addition, the Witte will be responsible for and provide all labor and materials necessary to assemble ...
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