City seeks cost cuts in hangar project

McCOOK, Neb. -- Construction of a new hangar at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport has been delayed but hasn't been abandoned by city leaders.

The city planned to construct a new 8-plex hangar and utilize a $600,000 FAA grant, with a 10 percent match requirement, to cover the vast majority of the expense. Engineering estimates have continued to climb since research into the project began and at least one recent estimate predicted the cost to exceed more than $1 million, prompting city leaders to reconsider.

Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff said the first estimate for the project was received several years ago and predicted it to cost less than $500,000.

During a McCook City Council meeting earlier this month Potthoff said other options were being considered, including a smaller 6-plex hangar and alternate locations. Potthoff indicated he was optimistic a new hangar could be built and ultimately end up with a construction cost in the $675,000 range.

"We will be eligible for a $600,000 federal grant. That will be the maximum amount of federal dollars that will be allowed to go towards that project.

Anything above and beyond that number the city will have to pay for," said Potthoff.

Potthoff said the city planned to utilize insurance funds stemming from recent hail storm damage at the airport to cover the city match.

"If this thing were to come in extremely high, we do have the ability to reject bids and not move forward with the project," said Potthoff.

Potthoff said he planned discussing options with the Airport Advisory Board in the near future and look at options available to minimize the project cost.

Potthoff said the city had approximately a half-dozen to a dozen airplanes on a waiting list for hangar space at the McCook airport, at any given time, and predicted it wouldn't take long to fill new space.