Nantucket commission backs notice of interest as staff readies bid‑based design for $27.5M terminal project
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Summary
Commissioners agreed to proceed with a notice of interest for a terminal optimization grant due this week; staff described a roughly $27.5M program that would double the hold room size and estimated FAA eligibility at about 51–59% (roughly a $15M FAA share), while noting design and bid documents must be completed before a formal grant request.
Commissioners authorized staff to proceed with a notice of interest for a terminal optimization grant as the commission debates scope and financing.
Airport management presented a package that would expand common use ticket and gate counters, enlarge the hold room, remove a temporary tent on the apron, and reconfigure curbside pickup and drop‑off. Programmatic cost was cited at approximately $27.5 million; consultant figures suggested historical FAA eligibility near 59% but current project estimates fall to roughly 51–53%, which would imply a potential FAA grant in the neighborhood of $15 million if awarded.
Consultants told the commission that FAA grant applications must be tied to an actual bid amount at the time of submission, so staff must complete construction‑level design and put the project out to bid in advance of the grant submission window. Commissioners discussed staging the work (building work first, curbside and parking at a later date) to reduce the amount the airport would have to self‑fund if full federal match is not secured.
Commissioners asked for clearer cost breakdowns (building vs. curb improvements) and for staff to prioritize needs over wants. The commission supported submitting the notice of interest by the imminent deadline but asked the consultant to prepare a scope and fee for design that can be paused if the airport does not win grant funding.
What happens next: staff will circulate a proposed design scope and fee to commissioners, pursue independent fee review through state and federal channels, and continue to refine a phased project plan so the airport can proceed if a grant award materializes.