Pinellas County airport recommends $145 million terminal modernization program, outlines 14 priority elements

Mark Sprague presented the Terminal Modernization, Renovation and Strategic Expansion program as the product of stakeholder engagement and a reassessment of funding constraints. He said the original expansion concept exceeded available funding by more than $90 million and described a revised scope valued at about $145 million — roughly $95 million on hand and $56 million committed.

"Rather than continue to move forward, we exercised due diligence and took the opportunity to stop and reassess the program," Sprague said, adding that stakeholders (airlines, TSA, FAA, tenants and customers) consistently urged modernizing existing facilities before new terminal space. He listed 14 elements that will be prioritized in renovations, including a new conceptual drawing to support up to 4.5 million passengers in current footprint, a 40,000-square-foot elevated terminal, replacement of aging sanitary piping and roof systems, expanded baggage makeup area, additional jetbridges, upgraded security queuing, improved seating/hold rooms, wayfinding signage and modernization of terminal columns.

Sprague outlined a timeline: conceptual drawings by the end of the year, schematic (30/60/90) by spring 2028, GMP by summer 2028 and construction through summer 2032 with closeout by the end of 2032. Commissioners sought detailed breakout numbers. Commissioner Nowicki and others asked for the consultant pro forma and more financial detail; Sprague said those items and professional-services amendments will come back to the board in September as staff finalizes fees aligned with project scope.

Board discussion addressed capacity and gate efficiency. Sprague said the program increases gate turnaround efficiency through additional boarding bridges and improved flow rather than immediate gate-count increases; the conceptual elevated terminal and phased design could allow future growth to a long-term range of roughly 18–22 gates. The project will be done "as you operate" (keeping the airport open), which Commissioner 1 noted increases the construction duration to 2032.

Sprague emphasized the modernization is intended to preserve the airport's long-term flexibility while addressing safety, customer experience and operational inefficiencies that currently hinder airline recruitment.