b'8 SRQTERMINALSGround Boarding Facility Offers RapidExpansion at Sarasota Bradenton Intl BY KRISTEN RINDFLEISCHSarasota Bradenton Internationaltravelers annually. Theprovided special systems integration and Airport (SRQ) has experiencedgrowth in demandimprovements for the new Concourse A rapid growth in recent years,made expansion aand existing Concourse B. prompting a critical need for expansion. Innecessity. Time wasThe original concept for the ground response, the Sarasota Manatee Airportour enemy, recallsboarding facility was a temporary $30 Authority initiated development of theRick Piccolo, presidentmillion structure that would have to be Concourse A ground boarding facility toand chief executivereplaced. But as planning progressed, meet increasing passenger demand. Theofficer of the SarasotaRICK PICCOLO project leadership realized the need for $120 million, five-gate expansion, whichManatee Airporta more comprehensive, future-proof officially opened in mid-January, is partAuthority. We were growing so fastWefacility. As the design started evolving, we of approximately $220 million in strategicneeded to get things built quickly.realized that probably projects over the past two years. The newA traditional elevated concourse wouldwasnt going to put 75,300-square-foot facility links to SRQshave taken longer and cost approximatelyus in a good position existing ticketing lobby and features its own$50 million more to build. Instead, thefor the future, recalls four-lane security checkpoint, concessions,ground boarding facility, attached to theKent Bontrager, additional amenities and a double-heightend of the existing terminal, allowed forvice president of connector hall for future terminal expansion. rapid construction, saving an estimatedEngineering for the Since 2018, SRQ has seen a 209%year of development time while stillAirport Authority. TheKENT BONTRAGERincrease in passenger volume, growingdelivering a high-quality, long-termdesign team shifted from six airlines serving 12 nonstopsolution, Piccolo explains. from a temporary structure to one that destinations to 11 airlines serving 68To bring the project to life, the Airportmet SRQs capacity needs and could also nonstop routes. The airports existing 13- Authority selected long-time partnerexpand to accommodate future growth. gate concourse was originally designed forGresham Smith as prime design consultantAlthough the new Concourse A currently approximately 3 million passengers, but byand DeAngelis Diamond/Magnum Buildersfunctions as a standalone terminal, SRQ 2023, it was handling more than 4.3 millionto manage construction. Arora Engineerscan eventually link it with Concourse B March | April 2025AirportImprovement.com'