Palm Springs International Airport will be changing, but on a much more limited scale than previously announced.
At a public forum Monday, April 6, airport officials debuted a plan for relatively modest growth over the next few years, shelving a major expansion that had previously been estimated to cost $2.2 billion.
Instead of an additional 14 gates and two large rental car centers, the airport will move forward with upgrades to existing facilities. Additionally, the airport hopes to add a customs facility that would allow for international flights to Mexico and Europe.
Although the airport had previously said seven new gates could be added by 2030, the timeline for most improvements has been pushed back — and some might not happen at all. Major additions, like new gates, will be dependent on passenger growth, which has been predicted to double to 6.4 million by 2042.
“This is a phased approach to how we are dealing with our capital program, how we’re planning the organization so it’s sustainable over time,” PSP Executive Director Harry Barrett said during the meeting.
Several improvements are still meant to be completed before 2030, including restroom renovation, replacement of the escalators, a relocation of the rental car lot and a $93 million upgrade to the departure baggage facilities.
“Those are geared toward focusing on improvements that we need to do right now, to improve reliability, to improve passenger flow, and the experience from people who land in Palm Springs,” Barrett added.
The new customs facility is slated to be completed by 2028, although no airlines have yet committed to international routes. Currently, the only international flights from Palm Springs are to five Canadian airports that have US customs facilities on site.
“The initial facility allows PSP to pursue those opportunities with airline partners quickly,” Barrett said. “Airlines look for airports that are ready, and this investment helps ensure that PSP is ready.”
After 2030, the updates become more tentative. The airport could move forward with new gates, a runway improvement and enhanced parking, but only if growth and funding warrants it.
From 2031 to 2035, officials said, three new gates could be added, as well as an expansion of the concourse on the north side of the airport. The building expansion would allow for more space for baggage claim and other arrivals and would cost an estimated $260 million.
Over the same time period, the airport could rehabilitate the existing runway, a project that is projected to cost $40 million.
Kevin J. Corcoran, chairman of the Palm Springs Airport Commission, spoke to The Desert Sun before the meeting about how funding challenges may inhibit expansion of the airport.
“This will be the largest construction project in the history of Palm Springs. How do you pay for it?” he said, adding that the city has a relatively small population when compared to the infrastructure needed to support the tourism industry. “These are big, big capital projects, and for a city of 49,000, it may be challenging from a funding perspective.”
Notably, a large rental car facility that had attracted controversy due to its original five-story height has now been pushed back to 2036 or later, if it happens at all. The airport commission reworked the design after the community voiced concerns that the structure would dwarf the historically significant airport terminal building designed by noted architect Donald Wexler.
If it’s ever built, the rental car center would now consist of two stories underground and one above. Another parking site may be added at the south end of the airport if needed. However, all plans further than 10 years out are now tentative and may not take place if growth does not match the predicted rate.
Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs airport delays massive expansion, unveils smaller changes
Reporting by Sam Morgen, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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