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Your support keeps truth alive in Decorah—donate to local news today! DECORAH— The Decorah Airport Commission took several steps forward Wednesday on its ongoing corporate hangar with attached terminal building project, approving two new change orders and a contractor payment during its regular monthly meeting. The commission unanimously approved Change Order No. 2, which will relocate electrical service for the visual approach slope indicator (VASI). The adjustment, costing just under $5,000, will be 90% funded by the Federal Aviation Administration. The city's share will be less than $500. Change Order No. 4, also unanimously approved, will cover the relocation of fiber optic infrastructure currently located beneath the new building footprint. "Again, this is a need," City Manager Travis Goedken noted, pointing out that most of the work has already been completed. The change will cost approximately $17,500, with the FAA covering 90%. A previously proposed Change Order No. 3 was not included in the agenda after being rejected by the FAA. That item involved relocating power for an equipment building to consolidate utility metering. The board also approved Pay Estimate No. 2 in the amount of $92,000, citing positive progress from contractor Tricon and a recommendation from the airport's engineering firm, McClure Engineering. Discussion turned to the future of the rejected Change Order No. 3 and whether to preemptively install electrical conduit for possible future use. Ultimately, it was revealed that conduit had already been bored for temporary power by a local contractor. "I made the executive decision … might as well have them bore it," Commissioner Pete Marso said. "The work, the majority of the cost of the work, is already done." Much of the meeting focused on logistics and potential expenses tied to finishing the hangar, including whether to add an epoxy coating to the hangar floor. A McClure Engineering representative joined via Zoom and reported a preliminary quote of $8 per square foot, though noted that "that number is high" and a finalized quote was being sought. The epoxy flooring would need FAA approval to be included in the funded project. The commission also discussed a misalignment issue with an overhead door on the east side of the new building, which would be inaccessible due to steep terrain. The board voted to eliminate the door and seek a credit from the contractor. "It was engineered poorly," Commissioner Brian Petersburg remarked. The next meeting is expected to include in-person attendance from representatives of McClure Engineering after commissioners expressed frustration with a lack of on-site presence during project oversight. Feed your curiosity! Subscribe to the free newsletter and indulge in all that's local. Your friends will be impressed.

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Airport Board Advances Hangar Project with New Change Orders