Helena Regional Airport has accepted a bid for the installation of automated equipment that will replace its parking lot’s “honor system."
The low bid was from Ace Electric of Billings for $221,710, which includes the cost for the equipment, said Jeff Wadekamper, the airport director.
Other bidders were Yellowstone Electric of Billings, whose bid was $330,304, and Protection Tech of Bellevue, Washington, that had bid $447,390.
The low bid was examined carefully before being accepted, Wadekamper added.
Airport officials were able to talk to the Helena Parking Commission about Ace Electric, as the company installed the automated equipment at the commission’s garages.
The next phase of the project will be to reconfigure the parking lot and separate it from the area used by rental vehicle companies. Fencing, landscaping and consolidating the two entrances and exits are also part of the work that will come.
Moving the two entrances to a single location and the two exits to another location will allow for greater convenience for those arriving and departing should any of the automated equipment malfunction, Wadekamper said.
When the airport authority has a total figure for the project, it plans to advertise its intent to borrow the money to see what lenders are willing to offer, Wadekamper said.
“That’s typical when we do a big project like this,” he explained and noted that the airport doesn’t rely on tax funds or mill levies for its operations.
Construction is tentatively planned for early summer, and the airport authority hopes to have the system operational by summer’s end.
The airport currently charges $3 a day and $15 a week to park, far less than what others charge. Gallatin Field in Belgrade, which serves Bozeman, charges $11 a day and $77 a week for its premium, short-term, parking and $8 a day and $48 a week for its economy parking, according to its website.
The low rate, Wadekamper said, is a way to help market the airport.
While a new rate has not yet been established, the airport authority is committed to keeping the cost affordable, Wadekamper said and explained, “We’ve always prided ourselves on being one of the lowest-cost airports in the country.”
But even with its low rates, not everybody pays before leaving the lot and some don’t pay at all.
“Now we’ll get 100 percent collection,” Wadekamper said.
The additional revenue is projected to pay off the cost of the equipment in three to five years. The automated equipment will accept credit and debit cards and cash and work with the permits that are sold to frequent flyers.
Last year the airport collected about $300,000 in parking fees and saw 98,000 people board flights.
Source: http://helenair.com
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