Judge Bars Eviction at Van Nuys Airport

A longtime tenant at Van Nuys airport may remain at its current site pending the outcome of a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, a judge ruled on Monday.

But city lawyers vowed to fight Syncro Aircraft Interiors, rejecting the company’s assertions that it holds a valid 10-year lease with the city.

Syncro attorneys said they sought a preliminary injunction from Superior Court Judge Dzintra Janvas because the city Department of Airports wants to evict Syncro--which restores and refurbishes private jet aircraft--from a massive World War II-era hangar at the airport.

The airport officials say that the city needs to evict Syncro and another tenant to repair the hangar, which was damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The city previously agreed to allow Syncro to remain while repairs were underway, but negotiations broke down.

“[The court decision] is a big victory,” Syncro attorney Douglas D. Winter said. “This allows the company to stay and continue their business at the airport until the suit is resolved.”

In blocking the city from immediately evicting Syncro, the court noted that the harm to the company would substantially outweigh any harm to the city if the injunction was not granted.

“Because of the nature of its business, Syncro just can’t pack up and move down the street,” Winter said. “The harm to Syncro would far outweigh the little or no harm to the city.”

Syncro officials cheered the judge’s decision.

“We’re really happy,” said Syncro President Barbara Cesar, who has operated the firm with her husband, Ed, for 18 years. “It appears that we can continue to do business as usual.”

Company officials say that they need a large hangar with access to the airport to conduct its primary work involving large jet aircraft. The company completes an average of 300 aircraft interior projects each year.

Still, Assistant City Atty. Bret Lobner said his office intends to challenge the preliminary injunction as well as the original complaint.

“The Board of Airport Commissioners directed us to get the tenant out of the building,” Lobner said. “[Syncro] claims they have a long-term lease. We disagree.”

Airport officials said there is a growing demand from aviation businesses for more space at each of the city’s four airports.

Although Syncro’s main business is the restoring and refurbishing of aircraft, airport officials in the past have criticized the company for subleasing part of the three-acre hangar space to film companies.