NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Airport Commission received an update on a new hangar construction project that is expected to go out to bid in March.

 

Peter Enzien of Stantec, the airport's engineer, reported Tuesday that preliminary work is progressing on the proposed six-unit hangar project. Enzien said survey work is complete, noting the site is a simple, flat plot of land.

 

"It is a big, wide-open, flat area, so it did not take them long," he said.

 

Enzien said he is waiting on the results of some soil borings, noting that a potentially high clay composition could cause some hiccups.

 

"The soil here is not good; there is a lot of clay here. We are hopeful we can do a conventional foundation system," he said. "It is a fairly light building. It is just a pre-engineered metal building."

 

Enzien said although the design process has begun, he will be able to change plans if the soil results come back unfavorably.

 

The proposed 147-foot hangar, which will be funded through state and federal funds, will run along the east side of the Shamrock Hangar from east to west. Enzien noted that although the plot looks flat, some grading will still have to take place.

 

Stantec must submit plans to state and federal agencies by the first week of February. After addressing notes, the project can go out to bid in March. Bids will likely be opened May 1.

 

Enzien added that the project could include a new roof on the city-owned Shamrock Hangar. He said the roof work will be included as an alternative in the bid.

 

"We will see how the bids come in. If it is reasonable, the FAA might fund 95 percent of it," he said. "If they don't, MassDOT offered to pick up 80 percent of it. The airport would pick up the remaining 20 percent."

 

The commission also mentioned they could consider selling the Shamrock Hangar. City Councilor and Airport Commission liaison Andrew Fitch asked if it was possible to move the property if the city is not using it.

 

"If we have buildings that we are not using, the Shamrock Building perhaps — if we don't have plans to develop plans to use a building, maybe we consider offloading it in a constructive way," Fitch said. "Not saying that it has to be offloaded, but something to think about if we are never going to use that space."

 

Enzien said it is possible to sell the property, but a few steps need to take place first. Although the city owns the property, it was purchased with federal money. This means the lounge area must remain open to the public. Enzien noted the city could reimburse the federal money to clear that restriction.

 

"Then you could do whatever you want," he said.

 

The reimbursement would not be a simple exchange of cash; instead, the amount would be marked against future airport improvement grant funds, lessening the potential grant amount available for future projects.

 

Fitch, who continued to speak during public comment, also suggested the airport consider updating its signage.

 

"I don't think our sign is very impressive, exciting, or representative of the businesses here," Fitch said. "We do have a high-end arts community around here if we want to do something interesting."

 

He showed a picture of the Bennington Airport sign, which appeared to be made of old airplane parts. The commission agreed, and Enzien noted the current sign was repurposed from a doctor's office building.

 

"We thought a sign is better than no sign, and it was always meant to be temporary," he said.

 

Fitch suggested the commission could tap the Massachusetts Cultural Council for a potential grant.

 

Finally, the commission tabled a discussion on kitchen equipment donated by Williams College to support the restaurant space in the Administration Building until Commissioner James Haskins could be present. Chairman Dean Bullett said they would need to act on the donation at the next meeting, as the college is preparing to move the equipment for upcoming renovations.