City hears airport operations update; grant pursuit and tower rehab draw questions about costs

Springdale City staff updated commissioners on airport operations, a pending federal grant application for an Army National Guard hangar and a recent tower rehabilitation project — and commissioners pressed staff on procurement and cost-control.

James (airport operations) reported the airport handled about 41,982 operations in 2025 and sold about 605,971 gallons of fuel for the year; staff said fuel sales were down in November and December, with Jet A and Avgas declines attributed in part to weather and lower activity. "We average out pretty close to what we've been averaging year after year," James said.

Staff also told the commission the city council approved applying for what was described in the meeting as an "almost $50,000,000" EDA grant to build a hangar for the Arkansas Army National Guard. Commissioners were later briefed in the discussion on an 80/20 funding structure and were told, in the same meeting, that the 80% portion would be about $11,000,000 and the city's 20% match about $2,900,000; the transcript does not reconcile those two figures. Commissioners asked how the airport would benefit and who was managing the application; staff named Merchant McIntyre (lobbyist) and local partners assisting on the application.

Carver (project lead) and others reported on a tower rehabilitation that began in prior months: cabinetry work was completed and a final inspection was scheduled for Jan. 22. Staff then outlined phase 2 (HVAC upgrades, generator and controller‑chair replacements) pending completion of the inspection. Several commissioners raised procurement concerns after open bids initially returned high (reported at roughly $650,000) and the project was later completed under a negotiated agreement for a substantially lower amount (reported in discussion as roughly $340,000–$360,000). One commissioner said large contractors’ overhead, bonding and FAA requirements push small projects into high-priced bids and urged the city to explore alternative procurement approaches for small-yet‑technical airport work.

Summit’s representative also updated the commission on hangar relocations tied to the sublease cleanup, saying most questioned Summit aircraft have moved and offering temporary space if tenants need help during transitions.

Commissioners requested additional detail on the grant application and on whether airport operations would receive a direct financial benefit from a new National Guard detachment; staff said additional briefing and a stakeholder engagement meeting were planned to provide more information.

The meeting record includes specific operational and project milestones: a final tower rehab inspection scheduled for Jan. 22, recent reassignment of surrendered hangars effective Jan. 1, and staff follow‑up to contact tenants on the hangar list.