ROWAN COUNTY — Rowan County has opened a request for planning services for any future projects at the airport amidst an expansion project that will aid more hangar space to Mid-Carolina Regional Airport.

The request for qualifications for the planning services opened on Thursday and the county will accept bids until 3 p.m. on Feb. 1. One of the main qualifications that the request for qualifications list as desirable is experience with projects similar to 11 projects that may be considered within the next five years. Those 11 are: 

• Improvement or replacement of the instrument landing systems 
• Environmental assessments, development and constructions for a taxiway
• Upgrading or replacing the airfield’s lighting; removal of obstructions such as trees inside of and surrounding the airport
• Updating the Airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan
• Pavement rehabilitation for the apron and ramp areas
• Clearing and grading
• Replacement or relocation of the medium intensity approach light system
• Development and construction of a ramp and apron area
• Development of general aviation and corporate hangars
• Airport development planning

Questions about the request and proposed projects and services can be submitted to Rowan County Purchasing Director Jody Farrow-Bennett up to 5 p.m. on Jan. 24.

The request document states that after the submission deadline, all of the submissions will be reviewed and one firm will be chosen. The county will then negotiate a master contract with that firm for a period that will not exceed five years. Any fees associated with the listed projects will be agreed upon once the project comes up and a detailed scope of work is developed.

The request asks that firms that wish to be considered submit two hard copies and one electronic copy of their qualifications. For information on where to submit each, find the request on Rowan County’s website at https://www.rowancountync.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1579.

Currently, the county is working on adding five new hangars to the airport, including two 15,000-square-foot hangars. One of the large hangars will be rented out to the N.C. State Highway Patrol and the other will be leased as a corporate hangar and will include office space. The other three will be 4,000-square-foot box hangars.