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Apron project faces delay as FAA grant paperwork lags; city seeks bid‑hold extension and other grants
Summary
Airport staff said FAA grant agreements have not arrived, delaying construction awards for the apron; the low bidder (Bettis Asphalt) is willing to extend its bid hold through next April by agreement. Staff also reported a $660,000 KDOT grant for runway 01/19 design and rehab and progress on taxiway lighting and other grant applications.
City staff told the Aviation Advisory Board on June 4 that the airport’s apron rehabilitation project is unlikely to reach construction this year because the FAA has not yet issued grant agreements required to fund the work.
“First and foremost is we still haven't got our FAA grant agreements, and that's not uncommon nationwide,” Scott Wagner, the airport manager, said. Staff said the FAA has provided a template for the grant agreement and that the city attorney’s office has begun an initial review.
Bids for the apron were opened in February; the lowest responsive bidder, Bettis Asphalt, holds pricing that expires June 25. Staff said Bettis is open to executing an agreement to extend its bid pricing through April of next year, which would give the city time to finalize grant agreements and get the project under contract in early spring 2026.
Staff said it is discussing the bid‑hold extension paperwork with Bettis and that city attorneys are evaluating whether the city can award a contract conditional on receipt of the FAA grant agreement. “If we can get that, and Bettis will execute, we should have breathing room to get this under contract,” Wagner said.
Staff also reported funding and design activity on other capital items. The Kansas Airport Improvement Grant (KIP) awarded $660,000 for design and rehabilitation of Runway 01/19; staff is considering the city’s budget timing and whether to begin the project this year or next. Garver (the consultant) submitted 90‑percent design plans for a Taxiway 80 lighting project; staff expects a design update to be presented at a future board meeting.
A KDOT cost‑share grant application for Airport Road and long‑term parking improvements was submitted and under consideration. Staff said the pavement‑management program is being updated; the last FAA pavement update the city submitted was 2023.
Board members asked whether Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funds were involved; staff said the apron work currently relies on FAA grant agreements and that BIL funds are wrapped into the apron project funding but not into the runway or taxiway items discussed.
Staff said it would update the board in August when more information on grant agreements and bid‑hold arrangements is available.
