New Philadelphia, Ohio - A new hangar will be under construction soon at the city-owned airport thanks to the efforts of students and staff from Buckeye Career Center.

Earlier this year, the city secured a $504,000 low-interest loan from the Ohio Department of Transportation’s State Infrastructure Bank to construct a 12-bay hangar at Harry Clever Field. The project went out to bid in September, and the only bid received was $72,000 over the engineer’s original estimate.

During the October 10th city council meeting, Service Director Ron McAbier reported that BCC had agreed to have students from its Adult Education Heavy Equipment program grade the site to help get the project back under budget. 

The city rebid the contract and received a total of three bids. McAbier said the contract was awarded to Straitline Structures of Sugarcreek, which submitted the lowest bid at $495,500.    

During the October 24th council meeting, McAbier expressed his gratitude to the career center for their assistance with the project. “Without them, this project wouldn’t be happening,” he said.

Airport Commission Chairman Councilman John Zucal thanked Superintendent Bob Alsept and Director of Curriculum Frank Polen, along with students and staff from the career center’s Adult Education department. 

“It would not have happened without that contribution to the project, and we are deeply appreciative,” he said.

Mayor Joel Day said the hangar, once complete, will help bring additional dollars into the local economy.

“We’ll be able to hangar an additional 12 airplanes that will be brought in from other airports. These are people who will base their planes here, buy their fuel, maintenance locally,” he said. “A lot of these fliers, if they’re not coming in for business, they’re coming in for recreation, so they’ll be spending money at restaurants and hotels.” 

Construction is expected to begin in mid-November.

STACEY CARMANY, TUSCO TV