Hyundai - Kia track project on track, manager says
Waiting for feds to okay wildlife study
BY BILL DEAVER
CALIFORNIA CITY - Work to build Hyundai/Kia's North American automotive test facility in California City is progressing and construction on the test tracks can begin as soon as U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials approve a "habitat conservation plan."
That's the message City Manager Jack Stewart delivered to members of the California City Advisory Committee last Thursday evening.
Stewart said the comment period on the agency's plan, which has been published in the Federal register, ends September 25.
"We will not issue building permits until Fish and Wildlife signs off," Stewart said. He plans to meet with officials of the federal agency in Washington, D.C., this month.
Hyundai/Kia has narrowed its choice of contractors to build the test tracks, roads, and other grading and paving at the site to two firms, and expects to award a contract to build the facility's technical center this month.
"Construction is expected to take nine months," he said.
Coordinating with Alabama
The big Korean auto firm hopes to have the California City facility up and running when the first prototype vehicles come off the assembly line in the manufacturing plant it is building in Montgomery, Alabama, Stewart told the group.
20 of the vehicles at a time are expected to arrive at the California City facility for testing, which will be done around the clock.
Stewart said he is working with Mojave Unified School District Superintendent Larry Phelps to identify Mojave High School students interested in becoming automotive technicians and engineers. for Hyundai/Kia and Honda R&D Americas, which operates a test facility at Cantil.
The manager added that, "Once this facility is under construction, we
will start to see Hyundai/Kia becoming involved in the community."
More California City News Events
California City Economic Development Corporation Homepage
Check out California City the best known secret in the High Desert!!!!!!!!