The lone bid for terminal rehab at the Livingston Municipal Airport came in higher than expected.
Airport Board Chairman Jason Duke said the FAA and T-DOT must review the bid to ensure the needed work can be done for a reasonable price. Duke said airport projects typically receive a 95 percent government match, most of which comes from the federal level, along with five percent each from state and local government.
“The next steps for us are going to be first, to work with the current bid, and then to work with our contractor to place the bid,” Duke said. “Work with T-DOT and the FAA and make sure we complete all of the minimum expectations in the process.”
Duke said the project plans may be tweaked to ensure there is enough money to complete it. Duke said rising construction costs over the last few years could be a factor in the higher than expected bid.
Duke said the Livingston Municipal airport terminal was built in the 1960’s. He said despite proper maintenance over the years, some changes need to be made.
Duke said the airport, like others its age, was constructed primarily for office space and plane maintenance. Over time, the airport has seen more public use. Duke said terminal rehab is needed to update it to present-day standards and create more usable space.
“Naturally, it needs improvements to windows, flooring, electrical, and all the infrastructure of the building to make it ADA compliant and increase public accessibility,” Duke said. “And to make it more usable to pilots passing through Livingston. In essence, the building will be gutted and rebuilt from the inside.”
In addition, updates to the metal ceiling and structure wall are planned in the upcoming project. Duke said the new building will have wider bathrooms, improved insulation, and updates to plumbing and electrical systems.
“We’ll go to more modern lighting, LED, everything that’s going to be better for economics as far as heating and cooling,” Duke said. “And we’re going to try to open the terminal up with more glass windows and glass walls across the front, and make it that much more well lit and welcoming to all the pilots, passengers, and citizens of Livingston and Overton County.”
Duke said the terminal will be closed during construction, and a temporary building will be set up in front of the airport until the project is finished. Duke said it will be suitable for visitors and have public restrooms.
The terminal rehab work is expected to be finished by next spring, Duke said.
