The Albert Lea City Council rejected bids for a new approximately 4,300-square foot airport arrival and departure building and parking lot reconstruction last summer after bids came in significantly higher than expected. On Monday, the council took a step toward moving forward with the project again.

Councilors unanimously approved plans and specifications and ordered the advertisement for bids for the demolishing of the current arrival and departure building to construct a new one, along with an associated parking lot.

“To reduce costs, the project was reworked with traditional tin, a conventional heating and air conditioning system and an option for a traditional steel frame structure,” said Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams in a report. “These items will still provide the city with a quality building with the character that the council had previously approved.”

Albert Lea City Engineer Steven Jahnke said the inside of the building will feature a large seating area, conference room, room for pilots, two showers and two bathrooms. A large window is also planned

According to Jahnke, the project will cost a maximum of $1.9 million. Under the scenario, about $760,000 would come from the federal government. About $700,000 would be from state funding and $400,000 in local funds would be used. Any reduction in the cost estimate would reduce local funding for the project, Jahnke said.

The lowest bid last year was for $2.082 million and was submitted by Lake Mills-based Larson Contracting. The bid was significantly higher than the just under $1.1 million engineer’s estimate formed by Mead & Hunt.

He hopes the project can begin this year.