To: Board of Supervisors
From: Greg Baer, Director of Airports
Report Title: Approve and Authorize the Director of Airports, or designee, to execute a Lease agreement at Buchanan Field Airport
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Director of Airports, or designee, to execute a lease between the County, as Lessor, and TrexAir Aviation Academy, LLC, as Tenant, for 2,000 square feet of office space and 18,000 square feet of ramp space located at 161 John Glenn Drive, Concord, for a term of one year, at an initial rent of $2,500 per month, and annual rent escalators of 3%, beginning January 1, 2026 (100% Airport Enterprise Fund).
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Airport Enterprise Fund will receive annual ground lease rent and concession fees, totaling approximately $34,000. If Tenant exercises its option to extend the lease, rent will increase by 3% annually.
BACKGROUND:
The property located at 161 John Glenn Drive is County-owned property and was previously under lease with Sterling Aviation, which operated as a Fixed Base Operator (FBO). TrexAir Aviation Academy, LLC (TrexAir), was a subtenant of Sterling Aviation and operated a flight school. As of December 2025, Sterling’s lease is no longer in effect, however TrexAir desires to continue operating the flight school at this location. The lease anticipates that they will continue to utilize the same office spaces and ramp area.
Key terms of the lease include a one-year term, with five options to extend the lease for a term of one year for each option. Each option period requires consent by the Director of Airports. Initial monthly rent will be $2,500 and will escalate annually by 3%. TrexAir will also pay percentage rent of 2% of the gross receipts from the operation and management of the flight school.
The flight school would be beneficial to Contra Costa County Airports by increasing operational traffic, generating consistent fuel sales, and nurturing a vibrant aviation community. For these reasons, Airports staff is recommending the requested action.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
The Airport Enterprise Fund and General Fund would not realize the anticipated revenue generated by this lease.