The Salina Airport Authority is one important step closer to breaking ground for a new $2.5 million aircraft rescue and firefighting station after a special board meeting held Wewdnesday at the M. J. Kennedy Air Terminal building.

The board accepted a Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program grant of $1,982,364 which will enable the Airport Authority to proceed with the construction of the new fire station. The Airport Authority’s share of the project is $500,032.

A bid opening was held August 25 with three qualifying general contractors submitting bids. Bidders were as follows: Kansas City, Mo. firm McKinsie Construction with a bid of $2,749,929; Wichita firm Snodgrass and Sons with a bid of $2,523,107; and Kansas City, Kan. firm Miller-Stauch Construction with a bid of $2,366,000. Other components of the project bring the total development costs to $2.5 million include engineering, construction observation and facility equipment.

The board of directors voted to authorize Executive Director Tim Rogers, A.A.E. to sign a $2,366,000 construction contract with Miller-Stauch Construction’s and all project-related documents. Construction is expected to begin in October.

This state of the art 10,000-square-foot airport fire station will increase safety and enable Salina’s aircraft rescue and firefighters to better serve the airport users and Salina community for decades to come.