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Williston picks Overland Aviation for new hangar and approves airfield contract change order
Summary
The commission voted 5-0 Nov. 10 to recommend selecting Overland Aviation to develop a roughly 15,000-square-foot hangar (estimated construction $4.4 million, supported by a $4.18 million FAA grant) and approved a $32,567.65 contract deduction for airfield pavement maintenance. Overland proposed a $5,000 monthly lease and requested a 34-year lease term; the State match remains pending.
The Williston Board of City Commissioners on Nov. 10 moved forward with two airport items: a contract change order reducing the final airfield pavement maintenance cost, and a recommendation to select Overland Aviation as the development partner for a new hangar facility.
Airport Director Anthony Dudas told the commission that Change Order 1 for the Hi‑Lite Airfield Services pavement project deducts $32,567.65, bringing the project total to $365,250.35. Dudas said the work is funded 90% by the Federal Aviation Administration, 5% by the State of North Dakota and 5% by the City. Commissioners approved the change order on a 5-0 vote (mover: Brad Bekkedahl; second: Victoria Siemieniewski).
Dudas also presented the results of a Request for Proposals to develop a roughly 15,000-square-foot city-owned hangar to address a facility-space deficiency identified during airport master planning. The project is estimated at $4,400,000 and is supported by a $4,180,000 federal grant; the remaining 5% was described as split between the airport and a pending State grant (the 2.5% State match has not yet been approved and is part of a 2026 grant application process). A 2024 North Dakota Aeronautics Commission study cited market lease rates of $4,000 to $7,000 per month.
Overland Aviation submitted the lone responsive proposal. The firm proposed to design, construct and operate the hangar under a lease and development agreement, requested a 34-year lease term to align with an existing facility lease, and proposed a $5,000-per-month rent. The company also offered up to $500,000 in privately funded improvements to cover items the FAA grant will not fund (for example, interior maintenance offices, parts storage and restrooms). Dudas said the FAA grant will not fund vehicle parking but will fund pavement connecting the hangar to aircraft pavement; Overland’s proposal would fund the ineligible work.
Commissioner Lucas Gjovig moved that the city recommend selecting Overland Aviation to proceed with design input and negotiation of a development and lease agreement; Commissioner Victoria Siemieniewski seconded. The commission approved the recommendation, 5-0. Dudas said the negotiated lease and development agreement will return to the commission for final review and approval.
The record does not include finalized lease terms, a final construction timetable, or a signed development agreement; those items will be decided during design-phase negotiations and subsequent commission action.
