Council member seeks funding resolution for demolition of former airport terminal

Council member Grand (District 5) asked the committee to direct staff to draft a budget resolution for additional funding to demolish the former airport terminal, and the committee voted to send that draft to the full Common Council for consideration on May 12.

Grand told the committee the city received three bids for demolition: $31,200; $41,302; and $61,842. He said the airport committee had authorized demolition contingent on finding the shortfall (about $19,400). Grand said asbestos abatement has already been completed at a cost of $9,500, utilities have been removed, and building services has approved leaving the footings and foundation in place to lower demolition cost and preserve the site for potential future federal or state-funded equipment storage.

Grand described the building as mold-ridden and unsuitable for planned police and fire training; he said the structure is an eyesore that attracts vandalism and is visible to travelers arriving on the south side. He told the committee that demolishing the building this year is likely to be cheaper than delaying and re-bidding in a future cycle.

Committee members asked when the bids were submitted; staff said bids were recent (about two months earlier) and noted the low local bid appeared aggressive. A staff member (Jennifer) said the shortfall — approximately $19,000 — would come from the city’s contingency fund, and that the bids did not carry a stated expiration.

A committee member moved and another seconded to send the draft budget resolution to the full Common Council. The committee approved the referral by voice vote; the committee transcript does not record individual roll-call votes.

What’s next: The draft budget resolution will be presented to the full Common Council on May 12 for final consideration and potential appropriation of contingency funds for demolition.