Posts Tagged ‘David Montoya Construction’

Article Courtesy of Spaceport America

The construction of a new runway is well underway at Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport. New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) officials have released new aerial photos taken on September 13, 2009, of the 10,000-foot runway project, which is designed to accommodate horizontal launch space and air operations at the spaceport. The runway is expected to be complete by late summer 2010.

Photo Courtesy of Richard Woodsum

Measuring 10,000 feet long by 200 feet wide, the runway is designed for day-to-day space tourism and payload launch operations like those anticipated for Virgin Galactic, the anchor tenant for Spaceport America. The large concrete runway will also be able to accommodate returning launch vehicles, fly-back rocket boosters and other space launch and training vehicles.  David Montoya Construction, Inc., of Alameda, NM, is building the airfield at Spaceport America. After successfully completed an RFP process, this contractor was selected to provide construction services of the airfield by the NMSA Board of Directors.

David Montoya Construction, Inc. has provided construction services on many large-scale projects since being established in 1985. The company has provided similar concrete paving services for Albuquerque International Airport and Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo. David Montoya Construction, Inc. is recognized by the Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the top 500 Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States.

The Terminal Hangar Facility at Spaceport America is projected to be complete by early 2011.The NMSA has been working closely with leading aerospace firms such as Virgin Galactic, Lockheed Martin, Moog-FTS, UP Aerospace and Microgravity Enterprises to develop commercial spaceflight at the new facility.

Doña Ana County will hold its first Spaceport Community Council Meeting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in the commission chambers at the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 Motel. Blvd. The event is sponsored by Cimmaron Software Services and the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce’s Commercial Space Committee.

The two-hour event will include a 45-minute presentation from Steve Landeene, director of Spaceport America, and Wayne Savage, chair of the GLCCC’s Commercial Space Committee. Both speakers will give an up-to-date look at the development and construction of Spaceport America and ways the Doña Ana County community is becoming involved with the regional project. Other distinguished guests serving on the evening’s panel include State Representative Andy Nunez, State Senator Mary Kay Papen, Las Cruces City Councilor Dolores Connor, Dona Ana County Commissioner Scott Krahling, MVEDA President Davin Lopez, and Jim Hayhoe. The event will be moderated by Garrey Carruthers, former governor and dean of the New Mexico State University College of Business.

The remainder of the evening will be question-and-answer time for those in attendance to learn more about the project. Questions will be gathered from attendees as they enter and will be presented to the panel by Carruthers.

The event will be taped and will air at a later time on CLC-TV cable channel 20 for those that are unable to attend.

During the meeting, David Montoya Construction and F&F New Mexico, the first two contractors for Spaceport America, will be introduced. They will be available to answer questions from attendees about opportunities with the spaceport.

The Spaceport Community Council Meetings will be a regular quarterly event allowing the community to stay current with the status of Spaceport America and have a forum to ask questions for experts. According to Savage, the future meetings will have particular themes, including building the spaceport community, education, tourism and economic development.

For more information, contact the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce at 524-1968.