Council approves airport drainage work and authorizes bond exploration for airport admin building

The Lawrence City Council on Aug. 19 approved an FAA‑funded drainage project for Runway 5 at Lawrence Municipal Airport and authorized airport officials to explore bond financing for an airport administration building. Councilors approved $381,287 in FAA grant fund expenditures tied to a runoff/drainage project near the Runway 5 end. The airport manager said the work will address drainage across roughly 14 acres, clear silt and redirect stormwater toward the Merrimack River to reduce standing water and preserve runway safety. Separately, the council authorized the airport to consult bond counsel about financing the construction phase of a new airport administration building. Project cost estimates at 60% design were presented as about $2.6 million to $3.2 million, higher than a prior state grant award of $7 million noted by staff as previously allocated (presentation referenced state award figures). The vote authorizes exploratory work with finance staff and bond counsel; any actual bond sale would return to council for formal approval. Airport officials said the drainage project is scheduled to start shortly after Labor Day and that the bond‑counsel consultations are a first step to bridge a funding gap between design cost estimates and prior funding commitments. Councilors asked for clarity on schedule, scope and reimbursement process for state and federal funds; staff said the drainage project is the next phase of airport infrastructure work and that the administration building financing will be reviewed through the city’s finance processes.