St. Pete airport to build $60M garage and expand terminal for 4.5M passengers
Director Mark Sprague outlines a plan to modernize the 1957 facility, starting with a 2,000-space parking structure and a new terminal phase.
By Meera Fletcher ·
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport director Mark Sprague told a crowd at Voodoo Brewing Co. on Wednesday that the airport is preparing to build a parking garage with more than 2,000 spaces. The project carries a price tag of approximately $60 million and is scheduled to break ground in January 2027. Completion is expected by the spring of 2028.
Sprague presented the plan to members of the Florida Economic Club, a group connecting business leaders from Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Sarasota counties. He has served as the airport director since March, following roles as deputy director and interim director. The airport, which opened in 1957, currently handles about 2.8 million passengers annually. Sprague noted that the existing terminal infrastructure is only rated for about 3 million travelers.
The leadership team is rescopeing a large terminal improvement project to focus on infrastructure and conceptual designs for a facility that can hold 4.5 to 5 million passengers. Sprague argued that the airport has historically grown in a reactive manner. He stated that current improvements do not fully address the needs of today's passenger base. The new design aims to fix inefficiencies through updated seating, wayfinding signage, roofing, and lighting systems.
The first phase of the terminal work will be a smaller expansion of about 40,000 square feet. This section will include four new jet bridges. Sprague said the team is also investigating long-term strategies for new taxiways. He noted that if the current structures can be kept, the airport will do so. If not, the organization will tear them down.
The airport sits on roughly 2,000 acres of land, with about 1,000 acres actively used for operations. Two major undeveloped parcels lie adjacent to the property. The Airco site is approximately 128 acres, formerly a golf course. The airport plans to use about 32 acres for aeronautical purposes to support taxiways and runways. The rest is available for non-aeronautical tenants like business parks and hotels. The airport also oversees the 10-acre former Turtle Club site and is evaluating its best use.
Pinellas County owns and operates the airport, but it does not receive tax dollars. Sprague explained that the organization must be 100% self-sufficient through user fees, airline charges, lease rentals, and concessions. All projects are fully funded before construction starts, often with help from federal and state grants. The airport has experienced record passenger growth for the past 10 to 15 years, leading to a lack of parking. A new five-year contract with Allegiant Airlines was approved in September to support this growth.
To mark 20 years of the partnership with Allegiant Airlines, the airport will host an anniversary event on Nov. 16. The event is set from 12 to 4 p.m. on the airport property.
