Design Commission hears update on Concourse M midfield terminal at Austin-Bergstrom

The Design Commission heard a briefing on Concourse M, a midfield concourse at Austin-Bergstrom that the project team described as a permanent, flexible terminal built to add interim passenger capacity during the airport’s larger expansion program. "Concourse M is a small facility about 37,000 square feet, with about 6 gates," said Paul Bulimovich, an architect with Page and Avstantec.

City staff and the design team said Concourse M is intended to give the airport short‑term operational flexibility while larger projects such as a new Concourse B are under construction. Bulimovich told commissioners the concourse will include four gates with passenger boarding bridges and two ground‑loaded gates, a passenger hold room, concessions space and a shuttle connection to Gate 13 at the Barbara Jordan terminal.

Commissioners asked whether the structure is temporary or permanent. "It is not being built as a temporary structure," Bulimovich said, adding that the pre‑engineered metal building was designed with future adaptability and could later be converted to other uses such as cargo if needed.

On operations, Bulimovich estimated the shuttle ride between Gate 13 and the new concourse would be about 10 to 12 minutes and said the route must accommodate future Concourse B construction. Commissioners also asked about public art and sustainability: Bulimovich said the Airport’s Art in Public Places program focuses installations in the highest‑visibility spaces and that the project is targeting Austin Energy Green Building 3‑star certification.

Commissioners raised landscaping and wildlife safety concerns for the airfield footprint; the design team said trees and large plantings are minimized near aircraft movement areas to avoid bird‑strike hazards. Bulimovich emphasized durability and passenger experience in material choices and said concessions operations are expected to be addressed through a separate city council contract.

The presentation closed with staff noting that Concourse M is one piece of a larger, multi‑billion‑dollar airport expansion and that final operational agreements with airlines remain to be negotiated. The commission’s questions focused on permanence, access, passenger flow, sustainability and where art and amenities will be located. Staff said they will continue coordination with the working group and return with recommendations and documentation as the project advances.