The massive new building is being paid for in part with money from the federal infrastructure law approved a few years ago. It is replacing a badly deteriorated wood frame hangar dating from the 1960s.

“It was time,” said Rhonda Chambers, the airport’s director of aviation.

The steel frame for the new hangar is up. Crews from Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, are putting the siding on it. Chambers said that depending on the weather, the hangar could be finished in February.

A structural assessment conducted in 2022 found the old hangar to be in unsatisfactory condition. After that assessment was received, all of the planes were moved out.

-Submitted photo
This is the 1960s vintage woodframe hangar at Fort Dodge Regional Airport after its siding had been stripped off. Airport operations workers demolished the building and the wood was burned. A larger steel frame hangar is being built to replace it.

According to Chambers, that hangar was old enough that a historical evaluation had to be done before permission was received to demolish and replace it. Airport operations workers demolished the building.

The award of money from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was announced in February. Final approval of the $881,000 grant came in July. Construction began in September, with the steel frame going up last month.

The building will be divided into three 41-by-52-foot sections, each with its own large door. How many airplanes will fit in each section will depend on the size of the aircraft, according to Chambers.

When the hangar is completed, space in it will be leased to aircraft owners.