MONTEREY – The plans for the look and function of the new terminal at the Monterey Regional Airport attained full funding as another infusion of grant money brings the construction of the facility closer to realization.
More than $2.58 million in federal funding was awarded through the Airport Improvements Grant Program made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and will support the remainder of the Monterey airport’s Replacement Terminal Design project, announced U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, CA-19, on Tuesday.
“The Monterey Regional Airport plays such an important part of our lives and livelihoods in California’s 19th Congressional District,” said Panetta in a press release. “Way too many people from our community rely on that airport for their professional and personal travel for it to be out of date, out of compliance and out of character for our community.”
The passage of the legislation is allowing the federal government to invest in local infrastructure, and will provide the Monterey Regional Airport the resources for a modern facility to continue to provide safe, reliable and efficient travel for visitors and members of the local community, said Panetta.
The Airport Improvement Program provides grants to public agencies – and, in some cases, to private owners and entities – for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems which includes the Monterey airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The new federal investment secured to support the design phase of the new terminal totals $2,583,765.
“The design phase is now fully funded through grants from the FAA,” said Monterey Regional Airport Executive Director Mike La Pier. “The new grant will fund the final phase of our design efforts for the replacement terminal.”
The total design phase cost is “roughly $6.1 million,” he said.
“We will complete design later this fall after which we will go to bid toward the end of this year,” said La Pier. “Bids should be in hand in February 2025.”
In early 2023, Panetta announced a $3 million grant for the Replacement Terminal Design project as part of a broader $25 million total federal investment in Monterey Regional Airport enhancements.
According to La Pier, the total cost of the replacement terminal project which includes the design and construction has a current estimated price tag of $88 million, “however, my staff and I are continuing to work the architects to reduce the estimate. In addition, the final cost will not be known until we receive bids for construction.”
HOK Group Inc., a design, architecture, engineering and urban planning firm out of St. Louis, has been selected by the Monterey airport as the architect for the replacement terminal project. The firm was founded in 1955 and has numerous award-winning airport designs under its belt.
In March, HOK Group posted an update on its website saying the Monterey airport will be a new five-gate terminal replacing the current outdated facility. The single-level layout promotes accessibility and easy wayfinding. An apron level below will support airport, airline and maintenance staff. The project will include the airport’s first passenger boarding bridges so travelers can easily access planes in any weather.
The nature-inspired design features a pre-security garden plaza with native landscaping. From the garden, a glass wall offers views into the terminal’s post-security central plaza, which features a center bar for dining and various seating options. A post-security outdoor terrace showcases the region’s scenic beauty and mild climate.
“The Monterey Peninsula Airport District sought a beautiful and cost-effective design that expresses the beauty of Monterey,” said Bart van Vliet, project manager in HOK’s San Francisco studio, in the update. “We’re collaborating with them to create an innovative terminal that wows and welcomes passengers to Monterey.”
HOK says the project team is also upgrading long- and short-term passenger parking facilities, as well as improving the access roads leading to the airport. The plan includes creating space to accommodate two more aircraft for overnight parking. The airport also can use this extra space for additional ground boarding when the five gates are at capacity.
In June, the long-term parking lot at the Monterey Airport was moved to make way for the location of the new terminal and its adjacent apron.
The new terminal is targeting LEED Platinum certification and net-zero energy readiness. The airport will remain operational during construction, which is set to begin in 2025.
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