b'40 SRQPARKING Sarasota-Bradenton Intl Adds NewCellphone Lot With Improved AmenitiesBY VICTORIA SOUKUPThe rapid growth at Sarasota- information displays, restrooms, vendingout when a flight will come in. Now, they Bradenton International Airportmachines and a water dispensing station.just wait comfortably at the lot until they (SRQ)a whopping 230%And it worked.receive a telephone call, and then its increase in passenger volume in the lastprobably a 30-second drive to the front of five yearshas brought smiles to the facesThis new lot takes congestion offthe terminal.of management. But it also created anthe curb and allows people to wait in an area that has all the amenities they needPreviously, the airport used a gravel associated increase in vehicle traffic thatparking area for a cellphone lot. It had a caused curbside congestion at the terminal.without having to go into a paid parkinglittle bit of grass, a couple freestanding Thus, the birth of SRQs new $3.2lot, says SRQlights and two portable toilets. And million cellphone lot. The idea was toPresident and Chiefthat was our cellphone lot, Piccolo encourage drivers picking up arrivingExecutive Officer Rickremarks. Technically, it did the job; but as passengers to park and wait rather thanPiccolo. It keepspassenger volume grew (from 1.3 million clogging the main terminal roads. Somotorists from circlingin 2018 to 4.3 million in 2023), it remained the Florida airport installed digital flightaround trying to figureRICK PICCOLO largely underutilized. March | April 2024AirportImprovement.com'