Dateline: Muncie
Bidding and contractor selection
AMA held an open bid for the construction project. Bids were opened on May 24 in Muncie, Indiana, and ranged from almost $1.7 million to over $2.2 million.
The low bidder has since been investigated. A Dun & Bradstreet report was reviewed, bank discussions were held, and visits were made to two of the company's current construction sites as well as several completed projects. AMA also contacted recent clients of the company. At this writing, AMA is entering into contract with the low bidder to construct the project.
Schedule and staffing
Once contracts are signed, the contractor has assured AMA that the entire project will be completed in 122 days. That schedule could allow completion prior to November 1991. If on schedule, all grading and seeding will have been completed and the grassy areas can be expected to develop good, strong turf by late May or early June of the following year.
Beginning in November 1991, AMA will send one of its first employees to the Muncie site. Many of the models currently on display in Reston, along with several hundred that have been in storage, will be transported to Indiana.
During the winter of 1991–92 the new museum in Muncie will begin to take shape. By May 1992 AMA expects the museum to be in presentable form and the facility up and running. Look for information in Model Aviation concerning a grand opening of the first AMA-owned and -operated flying site in May 1992.
Site layout and facilities
The multipurpose flying site to be constructed on the Muncie property will include the following major elements (as shown on the project sketch):
- Access road (left to right) with a turnaround area for dropping off models and a small access lane onto the flying site for maintenance.
- Runway system in a large L-shape:
- Main runway: 650 ft (left to right) by 160 ft wide.
- L portion: additional 250 ft (top to bottom) by 200 ft wide.
- A 30 ft x 40 ft permanent shelter (marked as a small box with an X on the sketch) equipped with electric power and lights.
This complex will accommodate most types of flying and will even allow for RC and control-line use at the same time.
Property and buildings
Included in the AMA purchase are two homes and several outbuildings.
- A farmhouse, machinery shed, and two barns now owned by AMA lie approximately 2,500 ft southeast of the multipurpose site. Tentative plans for the barns include clearing the floors, repaving, a general spruce-up, and new paint; this will allow use of the area for officials' parties, pilots' meetings, and similar functions.
- A second home adjoins the property and is located close to the museum complex site and the main entrance. One potential use for this home is weekly rental to AMA members and clubs who wish to visit the site and enjoy full use of the facility and flying. This home came with over four acres of land in the backyard.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
