Commission approves up-to-$3M contract authority for New Century air traffic control tower design

Johnson County commissioners voted unanimously June 26 to increase contract authority by $854,020 for the design engineering of a new air traffic control tower at New Century Air Center, bringing the contract cap with Burns & McDonnell to $3 million and delegating signatory authority for subsequent amendments up to that limit to the executive director of the Johnson County Airport Commission.

Brian Johnson, representing the Johnson County Airport, told the board earlier federal funding efforts were successful and that approximately $15 million in federal funds should arrive within weeks as the final legal transfers are completed. “We should see the $15,000,000 here within the next two weeks as we finalize the legal documents,” Johnson said.

The design work required additional authority largely because of unexpected site-preparation requirements, including an archaeological survey and a fuller environmental assessment prompted by consultation with federal agencies and tribes. Johnson said those reviews require extra time and expense and pushed an anticipated completion timeline toward first-quarter 2028 for full operation; earlier goals had aimed for late 2027.

Commissioner Ashcraft asked when the need for the archaeological work emerged; Johnson said the requirement arose from agency and tribal consultations, including federal reviews. Commissioners also discussed equipment expected for the tower — including radar and ADS-B systems — and the need to finalize the equipment list during design.

Action: the board’s motion authorized the contract increase and delegation of signatory authority. The motion passed 7–0.

Timeline: design work underway; target for a fully operational tower was described as first quarter 2028, pending design, construction and federal approvals.