Staff recommends that the City Council approve and award the low bid of $1,260,899.30 to Knife River Construction for the Billings Airport West Shuttle Parking Lot construction project. This bid price includes Schedule 1, Schedule 2, and the Alternate 1. 

The airport does not have enough parking to meet demand. The West Shuttle Lot will provide an additional 300 parking spaces to meet peak demand. Eventually, this parking lot will be expanded to 600 parking spaces so that the long-term parking lot may be closed during the construction of a parking garage. 

Construction of a new 300 stall parking lot to allow overflow parking during heavy travel times. A parking management company will manage this lot and provide a shuttle to and from the terminal. The lot will be striped, have parking lot lights added, and security cameras that tie to the airport security at the Terminal. Schedule 1 will be the construction of the parking lot, Schedule 2 will be the lighting and security aspect, and Alternative #1 will be the embankment work to allow future expansion of the lot. The lot will have to be increased to 600 stalls before the parking garage construction may begin because that construction will tear up the existing long-term parking lot. Once all parking facilities are completed, the airport will have adequate parking for the passengers, employees, special events, and at heavy travel times.

 

The project was advertised in the Yellowstone County News on April 3, 10, and 17, and posted on the City and Airport's websites. On April 21, 2026, the following bids were received:

Knife River Billings was the lowest bidder by 13%. Knife River has been checked and there is no record of debarment on the Excluded Parties List System (SAM site). 

 

Construction will begin AFTER the Yellowstone International Air Show for construction cost efficiencies. 

This project had an engineer's estimate of $1,506,392.50 and the low bid was $298,493.20 less. This project is not eligible for grants and costs will be paid from the airport's capital improvement program. Parking and operational revenues will reimburse the airport's funds.  

The City Council may:

• Approve the award for the West Shuttle Parking Lot to Knife River Construction for $1,260,899.30; or,
• Decline to approve the award, reject all bids, and provide further direction.