Airport director warns of expected extras as Saratoga County terminal nears substantial completion

Airport Director Chad told the Airborne Improvement Committee on March 4 that the terminal and hangar exterior work at Saratoga County Airport is complete and that contractors have moved inside, prompting expected additional costs as trades coordinate interior fit‑out.

Chad said the project was fast‑tracked to meet grant requirements and estimated that 5–10% of large vertical projects’ budgets is a reasonable contingency for additional costs. He called the project a $36,000,000 effort and estimated that an additional $3.6 million would not be unusual; the board previously authorized $700,000 for 2025 and Chad said the county’s remaining local share is currently about $5,000,000 after value engineering and additional grants.

“We obtained some additional grants for the project to sort of drive our our local share down,” Chad said, describing how the county reduced its initial local share from about $11,000,000 to roughly $5,000,000 through value engineering and grants. He said utility connection bills, interior fit‑out, restaurant fit‑out and electrical modifications related to a newly awarded generator grant are among the items driving extras.

Chad outlined that the county will likely return next month with a request in the “$7,800,000 range” to cover outstanding expenses and finish the interior, including furniture for conference rooms, FBO space and rental car areas. He said a restaurateur is interested in leasing terminal space and that staff and the county attorney’s office are finalizing draft lease terms and insurance requirements for an alcohol‑serving restaurant; operational start is expected in the fall if lease negotiations proceed.

Committee members acknowledged additional costs are common on fast‑tracked projects. No formal funding vote occurred on March 4; Chad said he will provide a more detailed breakdown and a specific funding request at the next meeting.