Airport commission approves hardstand construction contracts and landlord waiver; holds TSA lease for further negotiation
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Summary
The Nantucket Airport Commission unanimously approved a revised contract with McFarland Johnson, a construction award to Track Builders for Hardstand 2A, and a landlord waiver with Nantucket Island Rent A Car, while agreeing to hold the proposed TSA lease pending benchmarking on escalation clauses.
Arthur Gasparo, chairman of the Nantucket Airport Commission, convened the March 24 meeting and asked the commission to consider pending leases and contract amendments listed on Exhibit 1. Manager Smith summarized four items under review and asked the commission to approve three contracts and a landlord waiver while holding the TSA lease for further negotiation.
Manager Smith said the exhibit includes a 10‑year lease with the U.S. General Services Administration (TSA) for checkpoint and office space, a McFarland Johnson contract revision reduced by about $23,850 to $150,350, a Track Builders construction award for Hardstand 2A priced at $348,460, and a landlord waiver tied to Nantucket Island Rent A Car's refinancing with the Bank of Canton. She asked the commission for approval of the three non‑TSA items.
Commissioner Levitt raised a substantive objection to the TSA lease as presented, noting the proposed rent of $55 per rentable square foot for ten years contains no annual escalation clause and asking whether the appraisal factored in market increases. Phil (staff) responded that the appraisal reflected current market conditions only and did not include projected annual increases; Manager Smith confirmed she had reached out to Martha’s Vineyard and Hyannis for comparable lease terms and would report back.
After discussion about terminal‑modification impacts on hardstand placement and assurances from staff that Hardstand 2A will remain useable under the planned terminal work, Commissioner Marks moved to approve the MJ contract amendment, the Track Builders award, and the landlord waiver with Nantucket Island Rent A Car. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Commissioners voting aye included Commissioner Planser, Commissioner Levitt, Commissioner Buscayran, Commissioner Marks and Chair Gasparo.
The commission agreed to hold the TSA lease item for reconsideration at the next meeting, directing staff to gather benchmarking information about TSA lease escalation practices and to return with proposed negotiation options. The chair said the commission would re‑visit the TSA lease and related contracts at the next regular meeting.
