During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the urgent preparations for an upcoming air race in Roswell, following the city’s successful acquisition of $3 million in funding from the state legislature. The funds are earmarked for the construction of grandstands at the air center, a critical component for hosting the event.

City representatives highlighted the challenges posed by the late award of funds, which has created a tight timeline for necessary negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). To expedite the process, the city plans to utilize a streamlined bidding approach, allowing for quicker construction of bleachers by engaging with three separate vendors who have already submitted quotes.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by the need to finalize arrangements well ahead of the scheduled race next year. The city is actively working to shave off two months from the traditional formal bidding process to ensure that all preparations are completed in time.