Abilene airport board recommends $1.42 million design increase for terminal; $20 million bond approved by voters

The Abilene Regional Airport Board on a voice vote recommended approval of Amendment 1 to the terminal design task order with Park Hill, adding $1,419,481.35 to the design contract and bringing the total task order to $3,973,181.

Airport staff said the increase covers expanded design services needed to realize the renderings the board previously reviewed, plus an additional furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) allowance of $100,000 and about $164,815 in consultant fees for baggage conveyors and wayfinding. An independent fee estimate (IFE) by Cutchins and Grow put the fair-value estimate at roughly $1,409,000 — about $10,000 less than Park Hill’s proposal — a range the FAA allows, staff said.

The amendment was described as covering design through procurement activities only; construction-phase services and the construction manager at-risk (CMAR) contract will come forward separately. "This will get us through design," staff said, adding that the CMAR would be procured later to advise on constructability and to help keep the terminal operating during construction.

Why it matters: airport staff said the project is positioned to use a mix of federal grant funds and local resources. The board was told that the city has $2.3 million in Airport Improvement Grant (AIG) funds programmed for FY25 that will be applied to the design amendment and that the airport will provide the FAA-required match (staff described the match as 5% for Abilene under current FAA reauthorization provisions). The board also heard that the city approved a $20 million bond election on May 3, which council ratified; the bond proceeds and secured local support are intended to improve the airport’s competitiveness for discretionary FAA terminal grants.

Airport staff said the bond will not be issued immediately; issuance is expected later this year or early next year as the airport finalizes FAA grant work. Staff gave a rough timetable saying construction could begin late 2025 or in the first half of 2026 as FAA grants and other procurement steps are completed.

Board members asked procedural and delivery questions. One member asked whether the amendment includes construction procurement or CMAR fees; staff clarified it covers design and procurement work only and does not pay CMAR fees or buyout construction services.

Separately, staff updated the board on other projects and operational items. The aircraft ramp project is in early phases while Atmos relocates a gas line and the airport relocates two FAA fiber lines; staff said they expect the fiber relocations to be finished by early June so ramp work can begin. Staff also reported that the airport recently completed its annual FAA certification inspection and received a "no discrepancy report," which staff said reflects strong operations and maintenance performance.

Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve minutes as circulated. Outcome: approved by voice vote. - Motion: Recommend approval of Amendment 1 to the terminal design task order with Park Hill (increase $1,419,481.35 to total $3,973,181). Outcome: recommended/approved by voice vote; formal construction contracts and CMAR procurement to follow.

What’s next: staff said the terminal design amendment will be taken to the City Council for final action; staff also said FAA will issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY26 discretionary terminal grants later this year and that the AIG and local match will be used to support applications. The board recessed into executive session after the meeting and reconvened with no votes taken in closed session.