McKinney council approves $58 million GMP and related contracts to start East Side airport infrastructure

The McKinney City Council on May 20 approved a budget amendment and a set of contracts to start construction of the McKinney National Airport East Side infrastructure project, including a guaranteed-maximum-price (GMP) contract with Swinerton Builders that totals about $58 million for construction work and contingencies.

Mayor George Fuller told the council the city has secured federal, state and county investment and reiterated the city’s view that the project is eligible for Airport Improvement Program reimbursements. “For the record, we've actually received over $88,000,000 in federal, state, and county investment,” Fuller said during introductory remarks. He noted another roughly $30 million “being considered right now” and said much of the work is eligible for FAA reimbursement.

City staff described the purchases and contracts approved. Barry (city staff) said the budget amendment moves previously approved funds into the East Side project and funds several related contracts, including construction management-at-risk (CMAR) with a GMP, architectural and engineering design amendments, testing and commissioning, and owner’s-representative services. "The first item, the budget amendment ... is moving the the previously approved funds around into the project," Barry said. Patricia Jackson, facilities construction manager, Ken Carly, airport director, and Mark Holloway, the city's chief financial officer, were identified as staff available to answer technical or financial questions.

Why it matters: Council and staff said the East Side project will build enabling infrastructure — deep sewer ties, water, fiber and underground utilities — plus airside work (apron, fuel farm, deicing capabilities) and land-side access (parking, loop roads) necessary for a phased terminal and future aeronautical and non-aeronautical development on the runway’s east side. Staff presented a site plan and said the GMP pricing reflects a reduced initial scope compared with earlier concepts and includes a $1 million owner’s contingency and roughly $1.4 million contractor contingency inside the GMP.

Funding and contracts: Staff presented the financing mix the council approved. The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) previously issued a $30 million sales-tax revenue bond; $15 million of a larger MEDC allocation will support this contract, $7.4 million will fund a roundabout. The city will use airport construction and operating fund balances ($2.0 million and $1.6 million respectively) for certain professional services, and the TERS/TIRS district fund balance is being transferred in the amounts presented to fully fund the contracts. The construction GMP for enabling east-side infrastructure and vertical structures was shown to total about $58 million (staff cited a December 2024 estimate of $53.6 million and the GMP of roughly $58 million after changes). Fuller and staff repeated that many project elements are eligible for FAA reimbursement.

Council debate and public comment: The council heard roughly a dozen citizens during public comment. Proponents described the airport as a long-term economic opportunity; James Jenkins, a resident and community social-media administrator, said the "downside here is measured in the millions. The upside here is measured in the billions." Steven Spainhower, another resident, said delaying the project would forfeit opportunity: “If not now, when?” Opponents and some council members raised concerns about risk to taxpayers, potential reliance on airline partners and the limits of local authority; one council member summarized deliberations on whether a public-private partnership or fully private terminal would lessen taxpayer risk but noted legal constraints on private ownership of airport land. Council members also discussed FAA and state grant eligibility and the council's institutional knowledge after years of study.

Votes at a glance: - Item 252736 — Ordinance amending FY2024–25 budget and the 2025–2029 CIP to provide funds for McKinney National Airport East Side Infrastructure Project (AI2250) and appropriating MEDC bond funding for land purchase: motion to approve carried (vote not specified in transcript). - Item 252737 — Resolution authorizing execution of a GMP amendment with Swinerton Builders for CMAR services for East Side infrastructure: approved (GMP reported at about $58 million). - Item 252738 — Resolution authorizing amendment with Garver LLC for architecture/engineering services related to East Side project: approved. - Item 252739 — Resolution authorizing professional services agreement with Terracon Consultants Inc. for materials testing and observation: approved. - Item 252740 — Resolution authorizing professional services agreement with Spinelli Construction LLC for owner’s-rep services: approved. - Item 252741 — Resolution authorizing professional services agreement with Matador Engineering Inc. for building systems commissioning (Cx): approved.

What council approved was largely the package staff had presented: a budget reallocation, a CMAR GMP contract, and four professional services agreements to begin design completion, testing, commissioning and contract management. Staff said the airport’s TERS/TIRS fund will retain a fund balance after the transfers and will continue to accrue revenue for future airport needs.

Context & next steps: Staff said the contracts will allow construction to begin in phases intended to be eligible for FAA reimbursement; several elected officials said the work is intended to produce future revenue and regional economic benefit. City staff will proceed with contract execution and construction management; council did not add conditions that would require restarting the procurement. Fuller thanked state, federal and county partners for existing and potential funding. Public commenters opposed to the airport noted environmental, noise and traffic concerns; proponents emphasized regional economic development. The council’s votes put the city under contract to begin the first construction phases described by staff.