CALDWELL — As the Caldwell Executive Airport looks to grow economically, a local developer and aviation expert hopes to add to the efforts through a uniquely offered venue.

Vertical Venues, a 12,000-square-foot privately owned, commercial hangar for public use and access, is currently under construction with anticipated completion in early June — soon to become the only one of its kind in the state.

Project manager James Steele plans to turn the $1.3 million hangar from aircraft storage to an event venue with an optional bar, open-air space, and signature aviation experience add-ons.

According to the venue’s website, unique aviation experiences can be added to an event including helicopter rides, skydiving, and a group helicopter class, for an additional charge.

A PILOT GIVING BACKAs an Air Force veteran and commercial and EMS helicopter pilot, Steele said his goal with the venue is to introduce people locally to aviation.

“Sometimes a kid going to an airshow is all it takes for them to want to become a commercial pilot,” Steele said. “It’s just going to open up the community’s airport.”

The event venue is located at 4916 East Linden Street, adjacent to the airport’s terminal building, and is currently accepting event bookings for corporate events, weddings, quinceañeras, and other receptions following its opening date on June 1.

Steele said the current capacity for the venue is 250 people but is expected to increase as parking expands, currently with 80 parking spots. He also said security presence will be at every event for safety.

A six-hour half-day rental at Vertical Venues costs $4,500, and a 12-hour full-day rental costs $7,500. Added aviation experiences cost an additional $1,000 for a one-hour flight time, which can be split among multiple guests, the venue’s website stated.

Steele said Alpine Aviation LLC, which has a Letter of Authorization by the Federal Aviation Administration for the oversight of helicopter rides, will be the initial premier helicopter ride service provider for Vertical Venues. It is based in Oasis, Idaho.

He said depending on his business’s success, he hopes to purchase or lease a helicopter in the future and use his aviation experience and run the service “more in-house.” The experienced pilot added that he and other local pilots are licensed and authorized to fly tours if that time were to come.

According to Steele, the venue includes space for tables, chairs, music entertainment, a large area for event hosts to decorate, a projector, and an antique aircraft available for photo opportunities. He also said a quarter of the venue will be a 20- by 80-foot aircraft hangar door for event attendees to watch aircraft as they are taking off or landing.

“You’ve got a great view of the runway, but it’s far away enough that there’s not going to be any legitimate noise pollution and shouldn’t interrupt your event,” Steele said. “Having that be able to open and have fresh air come in really make it almost an indoor-outdoor setting.”

AIRPORT RULES AND REGULATIONS

Steele signed a 20-year lease with the Caldwell Executive Airport for the use of the land, with an annual rent charge of $5,280, according to a signed tenant agreement included in the 39-page land use application to the city. He also requested a special use permit which was approved by city council in July.

According to the Caldwell Executive Airport’s rules and regulations packet, in accordance with the FAA, in order for a facility to be considered aeronautical use, it must have active aircraft stored in regular service for 90 days.

The packet states that the FAA will not consider items to interfere with the aeronautical use of the hangar unless they “are used for the conduct of a non-aeronautical business or municipal agency function from the hangar.” It also states private hangars are governed by conditions in the land lease agreement made with the lessee.

Director of Aviation Scott Swanson told the Idaho Press he has been in contact with the FAA airport district office in Montana and is finalizing final steps in ensuring the project is in accordance with rules and regulations.

“If somebody came out here and wanted to build a building that had nothing aeronautical, or aviation related in it then that would violate FAA rules,” Swanson said.

Swanson said the hangar’s primary use will be an aeronautical storage of aircraft, with a mix of non-aeronautical sub-use, which would come with an additional fee in accordance with guidance from the FAA’s district office.

“The aeronautical attributes of this building are going to stay with the building,” Swanson said.

Steele will have his and other local pilots’ aircraft stored in the hanger year-round and only placed outside the area for events if chosen, making the hangar-turned-event venue’s primary source of usage, aircraft storage.

“If there’s an aircraft operation of any kind happening in a hangar at the airport; it’s authorized and allowed by the FAA — if you have an aircraft in the hangar, you’re authorized,” Steele said. “This hangar, this venue is going to store aircraft when there’s no parties going on.”

UNIQUE FOR CALDWELL’S GROWTH

The aviation director said he feels excited about the Treasure Valley’s one-of-a-kind venue opening at the Caldwell Airport. He said the project’s added revenue will become beneficial to the city and its taxpayers and keep him from raising rental rates for other hangar users.

“I am trying to bring as much business, aeronautical and non-aeronautical, that I am legally allowed to do to this airport, so I don’t have to raise rental rates for general users — that is my goal,” Swanson said.

As a Canyon County resident, Steele said he hopes his business will support members of his community locally.

“Bringing in an event center is going to spur the economy of Caldwell specifically,” Steele said. “That’s what we’re working for — to make our locality a better place to live.”

The venue would become one of the largest in Caldwell, excluding the Caldwell Events Center. Steele told the Idaho Press he hopes to host a grand opening following completion of the project and do a “quinceañera expo” where young women who are hosting their 15th birthday celebration can shop at different vendors in one location for necessary products needed ahead of their big day.

“Caldwell’s the place to be and I’m really excited to bring another venue or event center for things like quinceañeras,” Steele said. “There’s just really only a few places right now in Caldwell and ours will be one of the largest, newest, and most unique.”