New Airport Business Center Project Proceeds, Despite Higher Than Expected Costs

HOLLAND (WHTC) – Plans to build a new terminal at West Michigan Regional Airport will move ahead, despite bids that came in more than 700-thousand dollars higher than engineers had projected.The low bid for the new airport business center came in at more than $2.38 million, $715,000 higher than had been estimated for the construction of the new 7,500 square foot center. Airport Authority Manager Greg Robinson says that means more funds need to be raised locally to go along with the $1.8 million that has already been committed to the project by the Michigan Aeronautics Commission and Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Robinson thinks they can cut about $455,000 from the business center cost and another $340,000 from the cost of building the apron where aircraft will park upon landing. The airport authority board Monday approved bids for both the business center and the apron, the latter of which is expected to cost about $2.9 million, with most of that funding coming from the Federal Aviation Administration and state. The board also approved hiring a fundraiser to approach donors about helping fund the local share of the project cost. Construction is expected to be completed by late next summer.