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Commission authorizes engineering contract for airport lighting, project budget estimated at $1.2 million
Summary
The commission authorized Olsen Engineering to proceed with design and bidding for a runway edge-lighting and Runway Safety Area grading project at Fort Scott Municipal Airport. The project is expected to cost about $1.2 million, with an estimated local share around $62,400; FAA grants will cover most of the cost.
The Fort Scott City Commission approved a contract with Olsen Engineering on Nov. 19 to design and bid a runway edge-lighting replacement and Runway Safety Area (RSA) grading project at Fort Scott Municipal Airport.
The project would replace aging incandescent edge lights with a new LED lighting system, upgrade related navigational aids (PAPI), and regrade the RSA to meet current standards. "The new project... would replace that edge lighting system with a new, LED edge lighting system," Brian Coombs, an engineer with Olsen, told the commission.
Why it matters: The airport project is on the capital improvement plan and addresses aging equipment that is increasingly difficult to source. Replacement lighting and RSA improvements support safe night operations and compliance with Federal Aviation Administration standards.
Olsen estimated a total project budget of about $1,200,000. Coombs told the commission the anticipated local share would likely be in the $60,000–$65,000 range (he cited $62,400 as an estimate), because the FAA recently adjusted its grant splits to a 95/5 federal/local match for fiscal 2025–26 grants. The design and bidding phase authorized by the commission totals $93,400 (design $83,700; bidding $9,700); that authorization allows Olsen to prepare plans and solicit bids, after which the FAA will finalize a grant based on actual bid amounts.
Commissioners asked about schedule and funding. Olsen staff said bidding would occur in 2025, the FAA typically issues the formal grant in mid-summer after bids are received, and actual construction likely would take place in 2026 because of equipment lead times.
A motion to authorize Olsen Engineering to proceed with the design and bidding contract passed by roll call: Dylan Olsen — Yes; Catherine Salisbury — Yes; Tim Van Hooky — Yes; Matthew Wells — Yes; Tracy Dancer — Yes.
Ending: Olsen will proceed with design and bidding work; the city will return to the commission with construction costs and the final FAA grant when bids are received.
