When it comes to our clients’ projects… the sky’s the limit!
Founded in 1949, Bolton & Menk has evolved over the decades to become a trusted partner for the communities they serve. Our commitment to communities began with two hard working Midwesterners—John Bolton and Martin Menk. They saw people in their surrounding communities who had dreams of a bright future, a desire to grow, and a common challenge of aging infrastructure. John and Martin’s goal was to help communities make progress by listening to what people want, finding the best solutions for their needs, and treating them right. Their legacy lives on. We still want to help, we work hard every day, and we always remember what got us here—we’re people helping people. Today, Bolton & Menk, Inc. has more than 1,000 employees including a professional staff of more than 300 engineers, planners, landscape architects, and surveyors.
For nearly 40 years, Bolton & Menk has helped communities maintain and develop their airports. Our experienced aviation personnel and quality service has made Bolton & Menk a leader in serving general aviation airports in the Midwest. We assist our clients with a variety of airport improvement projects including planning, environmental, architectural, design, construction administration, and GIS solutions. We work as an extension of city staff to leverage our strong technical knowledge of airport regulations and relationships with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and statewide Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel to provide you with a successful project. Clients appreciate how our forward-thinking and proactive approach helps them realize their short- and long-term airport goals.
Aviation Planning
Airport planning projects impact not only the airport, but also the surrounding community. Developing a plan to maintain and expand your airport facilities is an integral part of a successful airport. Bolton & Menk has extensive experience leading our clients through the master planning process. A master plan will provide airports with a clear vision for the future. The plan will identify the needs of existing airport users, future users, runway extensions, hangar improvements, and overall land use. The airport needs will be drawn on the airport layout plan (ALP), which is required to be up to date to receive federal and state funding. The result is a development plan for your airport identifying short-term (0-5 years), mid-term (6-10 years), and long-term (11-20 years) projects that all parties of the airport agree to. The completion of a master plan update will then be reflected in the airport CIP to identify funding for development.
We understand that each airport is unique, and we provide a custom plan to lead you through the planning process. We tailor our services to match your project scope to ensure the final deliverable provides a realistic solution to meet your needs. Below is a range of aviation planning services we provide:
• Airport master plans
• Airport layout plans
• Airport zoning ordinances
• Airport airspace analysis
• CIP development
• Financial feasibility analysis
• Economic impact studies
• Funding and grant administration strategies
• Public involvement support
Environmental
Before any project can move forward, environmental compliance with all environmental regulations is required. Bolton & Menk provides a full range of environmental services and has in-house experts to complete the detailed analysis needed for each impact area. Our environmental team works closely with our aviation planners during airport planning projects to identify all possible environmental impacts for future development early in the process. This includes completing environmental overview, wetland delineations, critical habitat and protected species review, and water quality impacts. Our environmental team has extensive knowledge of the FAA National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and completes environmental reviews in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1, Environmental Impacts Policies and Procedures and AA Order 5050.4, and NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions.
Bolton & Menks environmental team is qualified to complete a review for each of the following NEPA Impact Categories:
• Environment
• Air quality
• Climate impacts
• Wetland impacts
• Water sources impacts
• Farmland
• Noise and compatible land use
• Natural resources overview
• Historical and architectural overview
• Visual impacts
• Construction and hazardous waste impacts
Land Acquisition
Identifying land to be acquired for future development is a critical part of the master plan process. FAA and DOTs each have required land use safety policies in place for future development. As part of any airport planning study, the airport’s Exhibit “A” Property Map is required to be updated. Bolton & Menk’s team of aviation planners and surveyors are well versed with the FAA Standard Operating Procedure 3.00 Exhibit “A” Airport Property Inventory Map, which details the requirements of airport sponsors to accurately reflect existing and future land use in the ALP.
Once future development or enforcement of an FAA land use policy triggers the requirement of land acquisition, our team closely follows the process detailed in FAA AC 150/5100-17 Land Acquisition and Relocation Assistance for AIP Projects. Close collaboration between the city, property owner, and FAA is critical to ensure the land acquisition process follows FAA policy to secure funding.
Design and Construction Services
Our team of aviation experts have experience with all types of airport engineering and architectural projects identified in CIPs. We work on projects of all scales and sizes at airports throughout the Midwest. Our team is familiar with FAA Design Advisory Circulars and will provide engineering for projects that will meet all local, federal, and state requirements.
Bolton & Menk has been on the forefront of specifying environmentally friendly and innovative construction methods to best complete airport projects. This includes using the full-depth reclamation (FDR) process to reconstruct bituminous pavements, LED lighting for Navigational Aids (NAVAIDS) and edge lighting, and non-emulsion-based pavement seal coats.
Design services are only half of what we provide. Overseeing the project through construction is equally as important. We provide a dedicated construction project engineer to be on-site during construction to ensure the contractor is meeting all plan and specifications requirements. Our construction project engineer is experienced working on airports and with FAA and DOT technical specifications. Having personnel on-site also allows you to visit the project and be provided real time construction updates.
Architectural Services
Our team has recently been implementing the design-build process for aircraft hangars and snow removal equipment buildings. With the design-build process, our staff works closely with you to specify all minimum requirements of the building and then prepares a request for qualifications for contractors to complete the final design.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
Bolton & Menk applies the latest innovations in technology to assist with projects at your airport. UAV is an excellent tool we provide for planning, design, and construction. The high-resolution aerial imagery can be used in planning and design documents, help our construction observation personnel in monitoring construction activities and progress, and provide analysis of airport obstructions. The imagery obtained is also used to create visual layouts of future projects to aid in the airport and its decision makers’ understanding of the project.
FAA Policy Experience
Bolton & Menk’s team of aviation experts has a strong technical understanding of all FAA airport regulations. This includes the FAA AIP Handbook (FAA Order 5100.38), which details project eligibility and all FAA Design Advisory Circulars—primarily the FAA Airport Design Circular (AC 150/5300-13), which details design standards for your airport. Our experience working with FAA allows us to identify appropriate funding for projects to help them move forward.
For major improvement projects, it’s imperative you follow the FAA project formulation process. Our team has extensive experience working with our clients, FAA, and DOTs to identify major improvement projects and ensure all FAA grant administration requirements are met. Oftentimes the process must begin five years prior to construction to meet all FAA requirements. The process begins with ensuring your airport planning is complete and the project is identified in your CIP. From there, our team will begin discussions to secure additional federal funding at least three years in advance. Completing all necessary environmental documentation is required before beginning project design. Our goal is to ensure your project is successful.
Grants and Funding Expertise
Funding needs to be secured before any project can begin. Bolton & Menk understands funding sources available to airports and will provide our expertise to you. Our team has a strong knowledge of project funding eligibility and will discuss each project with FAA and DOT personnel to establish a feasible funding plan to meet your needs.
At Bolton & Menk, our aviation planners and engineers dig deep to help you soar. We look at real airport development issues and find proactive, practical solutions before any engineering takes place. Interested in learning more? Contact Ronald Roetzel at
612-770-6012 or Ronald.Roetzel@bolton-menk.com.
Ronald Roetzel Senior Principal Aviation Engineer
Ron joined Bolton & Menk in 1984 and leads the firm’s aviation work group. His favorite part of his job is the people he works with and the ability to solve their problems. He has extensive experience working with general aviation airports across the Midwest and setting up large projects for successful funding. He manages expectations of agencies as well as those of the general public. Ron leads sponsors through challenges to complete projects on time and within budget. When he doesn’t have his head in the clouds, Ron spends his time remodeling old residential homes.