St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is planning a terminal expansion expected to cost up to $145 million, as rising passenger traffic and aging infrastructure strain the existing terminal.
County officials said the FAA is expected to fund only portions of eligible terminal work, leaving the airport responsible for local matching requirements and non-eligible portions of the project. The airport projects roughly $35 million of the project’s funding coming from airport reserves and on approximately $110 million in grants.
To continue design work, Pinellas County commissioners will consider a request Tuesday to seek nearly $4.9 million in federal infrastructure funding, including roughly $707,000 in required local matching funds, for a project that includes a second-story expansion above baggage claim, replacement jet bridges, additional hold-room seating, and concession space.
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“PIE’s passenger increased by over 50% in the past decade and the need for additional parking and terminal improvements is essential for continued growth,” Airport Public Relations Director Michele Routh said in a statement to Tampa Bay Business & Wealth. “We needed to prioritize a parking garage, now in design, and rescope the terminal project. We anticipate beginning the design phase later this summer.”
The project would also replace aging baggage, ticketing, plumbing, and fire protection systems while adding upgrades to rental car counters and airport wayfinding signage. County documents describe several components of the terminal as at or beyond their useful life.
The current FAA application covers the next phase of pre-construction design work, with activity scheduled between January and September 2027. County officials said the FAA often gives airports only a few days to execute grant agreements, prompting the county to seek advance authorization for signatures.
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