Hangar building in Rogers City may be downsized

The projected cost overrun of the new hangar building at the Presque Isle County Airport in Rogers City will more than likely delay construction until the spring — and the structure probably won’t be as large as originally anticipated. The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners just six weeks ago accepted a low bid for a 52-by-190 foot concrete foundation from Lee’s Ready Mix of Rogers City at a cost of $46,400, which was higher than engineer estimates from a year-and-a-half ago. The concrete work was expected to be about $27,000.

THE COST of the building was estimated at nearly $80,000, but an assembly cost of $30,000 caught courthouse and grounds committee members Bob Schell and Mike Darga by surprise. With the price tag above $100,000, the board voted unanimously in July to offer a no-interest loan to cover construction costs above $100,000, the amount of the bequest from the Radka Estate. The loan was for $35,000, but it won’t be enough. The increasing cost of cement and steel, diminishing county funds, a delay in receiving the donation from the estate, and some confusion have sent the figures to nearly $175,000.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS had been on the phone for weeks, but it appears the building may have to be downsized from s

toring eight planes to four. The hangar will be located in the southwest corner of the property, near the recently-paved road. Schell, who serves as the committee chair, said a meeting was to be conducted with airport manager Mike Jermeay before a final decision was made about what action to take.. Schell also said the committee had to talk with prosecutor Don McLennan about the county’s responsibilities to Lee’s Ready Mix, because there was a change in the design and the local contractor had already ordered some of the material. “We weren’t prepared for that increase,” said Schell.

Committee member Darga said they’ll be “hard pressed to get it in this year.” The contractor Full Fab is booked through the rest of the year and wouldn’t be able to get to the project until spring.