NORTH PLATTE, Nebraska (KNOP) – While dozens of airports across the state work to improve airfield safety and infrastructure, the North Platte Airport Authority is taking steps to ensure the momentum to improve Lee Bird Field continues.
This week, airport manager Justin Gosnell presented the commission’s budget to the city council, which includes funding for the construction of a new $30 million terminal building.
The renovation project is being funded primarily through federal funds. To date, the board has secured $22 million in federal funds to finance the improvements.
Although the airport authority has yet to approve its budget, preliminary figures show it plans to request a tax request of $1.988 million to finance the renovation project, an increase of about 42 percent over last year.
“The preliminary estimate of the bond is about $5 million, depending on the amount of the levy and the valuation of our properties. We have to add 10 percent to these unforeseen costs,” Gosnell said. “Otherwise, once you subtract the bond for the project, the budget is pretty flat.”
Gosnell said construction to upgrade the 72-year-old facility is expected to begin in March next year and be completed in spring 2026.
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