St. Pete-Clearwater Airport to build $60M garage and expand terminal by 2028

St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will break ground on a new parking garage in January 2027, a project expected to cost roughly $60 million and provide more than 2,000 parking spaces. Construction is scheduled for completion by the spring of 2028.

The expansion plan addresses a critical capacity gap. The current terminal serves approximately 2.8 million passengers annually but is designed to handle only about 3 million. Airport Director Mark Sprague stated that the existing infrastructure was built in 1957 and has grown reactively over time. He noted that the airport has experienced record-breaking passenger growth for the past 10 to 15 years, leading to persistent complaints regarding limited parking availability.

Sprague outlined these details at a Florida Economic Club gathering on Wednesday evening at Voodoo Brewing Co. in St. Petersburg. He began his official tenure as director in March after serving as deputy director and interim director. The club, founded in 2009, connects business professionals from Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Sarasota counties.

Beyond the garage, the airport is exploring conceptual designs for a terminal capable of accommodating 4.5 to 5 million passengers. The first phase of this terminal expansion will be a 40,000-square-foot addition featuring four new jet bridges. Sprague said the team will tackle smaller projects first while finalizing long-term strategies for new infrastructure such as taxiways. He emphasized that if the current brick and mortar can be preserved, they will do so, but they are prepared to tear it down if necessary.

Short-term improvements will focus on modernizing the airport to address inefficiencies. Planned upgrades include new seating, improved wayfinding signage, and enhancements to the roofing and lighting systems. The airport occupies approximately 2,000 acres of land, with about 1,000 acres actively used for operations. Two major undeveloped parcels adjacent to the airport are slated for future development.

One parcel is the 128-acre Airco site, formerly a golf course. The airport plans to use 32 acres for aeronautical purposes, requiring tenants to support taxiways and runways. The remainder may host non-aeronautical businesses such as hotels and business parks. The second parcel is the 10-acre former Turtle Club site. Sprague said the team is evaluating the best use cases for both properties.

Although owned by Pinellas County, the airport does not receive tax dollars. It is 100% self-sufficient through user fees, airline charges, lease rentals, and concessions. All projects are fully funded before work begins, often with the help of federal and state grants.

A new five-year contract with Allegiant Airlines was approved in September, a partnership Sprague described as essential to the airport's growth. To mark 20 years of this partnership, the airport will host an anniversary event on Nov. 16 from 12 to 4 p.m.