New funding supports St. Pete-Clearwater Airport’s growth spurt

State and federal funding continues trickling in for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport’s (PIE) much-anticipated terminal expansion, which has nearly doubled in cost over the past year.

According to Pinellas County documents, the project’s estimated price range is now between $180 million and $220 million. Airport officials announced a $110 million initiative in January 2024.

County Commissioners approved a $1.98 million grant agreement amendment Tuesday with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The additional money for an ongoing design phase increases the agency’s total award to $7.98 million.

“We are doing several things because we’ve had a 142% increase in growth in 11 years,” said Yvette Aehle, deputy director of finance and administration for PIE. “We have a lot of ideas. But during design, we are still trying to figure out how much all of that is going to cost us.”

A preferred site plan for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport’s (PIE) terminal project. Screengrab, county documents.

The county-owned airport served less than a million passengers in 2013. That number increased to a record-setting 2.49 million in fiscal year 2023.

An FDOT report that same year found that PIE generated a $3.4 billion economic impact and supported 21,000 local jobs. In April 2024, Tom Jewsbury, executive director of the airport, told commissioners that the “lean and mean” operation remains debt-free.

He also noted that PIE continues punching above its weight. The mid-sized facility atypically featured 64 direct flights at the time, while the significantly larger Tampa International Airport (TPA) offered 82.

Jewsbury said PIE had $17 million “in the bank” for a $40 million, 1,000-space parking garage and will use rental car revenues to offset the remaining cost. Officials previously considered expanding a surface lot.

Commissioner Chris Scherer questioned the airport’s progress Tuesday. The initial improvements project still lacks a contractor.

Aehle said the design phase, funded a “little at a time,” is underway. The conceptual phase is complete, and the airport will begin schematic designs by 2026.

“As we are allowed to apply for money, we apply for it,” Aehle added. “And as we’re getting it, we apply that towards design.”

A previous rendering of the terminal expansion. Image provided.

PIE has already received $6 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and now has nearly $8 million from FDOT. The airport’s share is $9.05 million, which brings the total accumulated for the design phase to $23.03 million.

Documents state that officials have also applied for a $4.9 million FAA grant, which they would receive this summer. The airport’s share of that grant is $546,106.

The documents note that PIE continues requesting additional funding for terminal improvements as it is still “early in the design process and will not have a final guaranteed maximum price until the summer of 2026.” However, costs at similar-sized airports typically range from $1,200 to $2,200 per square foot, which indicates a total of $180 million to $220 million.

Aehle noted a “definite” need to enhance and consolidate a security screening checkpoint. PIE will also provide jet bridges so “people won’t have to stand out in the rain during the summertime to board aircraft.”

Aehle said officials will enlarge gate areas and install charging stations. County Administrator Barry Burton elaborated that new jetways, which will directly connect the terminal to planes and eliminate the need to walk outside and up ramps to board, are an initial focus.

Documents state the FDOT grant would cover consultant and design fees, permitting, bidding services, surveying and geotechnical costs, inspections and material testing, traffic maintenance, erosion control, new pavement, drainage, utilities, primary and backup power sources, construction, stormwater facilities, parking, fencing, lighting, signage and landscaping. A site plan highlights a “future apron edge taxiway C.”

Jewsbury previously said concession revenue was up 32% through April 2024. Car rental services provide about $4.5 million annually.

At that meeting, Commission Chair Brian Scott noted that 15 million people visited the county in 2023, and the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) discussed offering a tourism-focused shuttle from PIE to the beaches. Jewsbury said it would help accommodate expected exponential growth and could integrate into plans for a new parking garage.

That service, dubbed the Grouper, began providing significantly discounted, on-demand shuttle service in late February. “We are thrilled to introduce this new transit service, providing visitors with a seamless, stress-free connection between PIE and world-famous Clearwater Beach,” Scott said in a prepared statement.

“This service enhances accessibility, supports local tourism, and ensures travelers can experience our beautiful beaches with greater ease and convenience.”