PSP Projects
The Palm Springs International Airport works diligently to maintain, protect, and improve its facilities. Here are several active projects, updated in Spring 2023.
Concessions
Project Overview
Palm Springs International Airport is preparing to double the number of restaurants and bring in more local businesses! Construction is currently underway to bring in an entirely new set of shopping and dining options, including the airport’s first duty-free store. For more information, view the press release.
Project Status
Airport Master Plan
Project Overview
This project is a 30-month comprehensive study to plan and develop capital program requirements through the year 2045. The study is scoped to be sustainable and incorporates future goals related to terminal complex, landside access and parking, and airside improvements for future generating aircraft.
Project Status
Airport staff and Mead & Hunt (M&H) kicked off the master planning process on February 13. Currently, the consultant is completing an inventory of airport conditions, including geographical, facilities, lease agreements, land uses, etc. M&H has canvassed and surveyed airport tenants and conducted field studies to understand facility constraints. More information about the Airport Master Plan can be found at palmspringsairportmasterplan.com.
Outbound Baggage Handling System Replacement
Project Overview
This project is intended to modify or replace the current outbound baggage handling system with a new inline baggage handling system to improve capacity and process efficiency, implement additional technology for bag tracking, reduce or eliminate single points of failure, and improve ergonomics.
Project Status
Procurement Phase. The evaluation team has reviewed proposals and has interviewed four firms, which resulted in the selection of a design consultant. Notification of Intent to award was made to the design consultant on March 23. Airport staff intends to advance the recommended firm to the City Council for contract award and recommend approval of an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to reimburse for the design of the system. Airport staff continues to work with the FAA to identify funding for what is likely to be a building expansion to accommodate the system.
Terminal Common Use
Project Overview
This project is to install Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS) at each of the 18 boarding gates and at the non-signatory airline ticket counters. This includes renovations to the Bono Concourse, which involve the replacement of customer service podiums, lighting and signage upgrades and carpet replacement for both concourses.
Project Status
The Regional Jet (RJ) concourse gates have been partially converted onto the Common Use platform and some airlines are live in the system. Converting some gates has allowed the airport to ease the pressure of gating constraints as the season continues to ramp up. A construction firm has been selected and the airport anticipates this project to begin in July.
Employee and Economy Parking Lots & Commercial Transit reconfiguration
Project Overview
This project aims to complete three objectives: 1) design and build a new employee parking lot west of the airport at El Cielo and Baristo; 2) convert the current overflow and employee lots to economy lots; and 3) make changes to commercial ground transportation staging areas. The airport’s focus is on incorporating and improving technology through these designs by introducing a new Parking and Revenue Control System, adding EV charging, and upgrading fiber capability to accommodate security improvements. Staff has been working through state and federal programs to procure EV charging capability.
Project Status
Procurement Phase. The RFQ for design services is with the City Procurement Office awaiting an Independent Fee Estimate to confirm and negotiate pricing. The airport has entered into an agreement with the Southern California Edison to supply no-cost installation of infrastructure to support increased electrical loads for Electric Vehicle Charging in public parking Lot D. This project is expected to begin in Summer 2023.
Taxiway W and A1 Rehabilitation
Project Overview
This is a federally funded project to design and rehabilitate the airport’s primary commercial taxiway under the Pavement Management Program.
Project Status
In Design. The airport’s on-call engineering firm overseeing airfield projects recently completed surveying and destructive testing of the pavement to determine the project approach for rehabilitation. Project is proceeding as planned with construction scheduled for CY 2024.
Restroom Renovations
Project Overview
City Council approved airport staff to design and renovate all public restrooms in the airport. This would include demolition and replacement of all flooring and fixtures, upgrades to ventilation and lighting systems, and conversion of some restrooms to gender neutral facilities.
Project Status
Anticipated to begin in FY 2024.
Sterile Area Shade Structures
Project Overview
This project aims to add shade structures post security to encourage broader use of the airport during summer months. This project is partially funded through a grant facilitated by Visit Greater Palm Springs.
Project Status
In Design. City engineers assisted airport staff in identifying space and are currently procuring structures for installation in three areas of the sterile area.
Baggage Claim Expansion and Renovation
Project Overview
This project was previously identified on the airport’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) list for start in FY 2025.
Project Status
The airport was awarded a $5.7M federal grant to partially fund expansion of the baggage claim. Airport staff is assigning the initial design work to an airport on-call consultant. Airport staff will be working with a consultant to ensure that planning and design is in collaboration with master plan processes, and consistent with the existing Class I historic designation of the main terminal building.
Feasibility Study for Federal Inspection Station (International Air Service)
Project Overview
This two-phased study (partially funded by Visit Greater Palm Springs) seeks to analyze how small- and medium-hub airports have successfully constructed an FIS and expanded international routes to their facilities, and subsequently develop a business plan for expansion of Customs and Boarder Protection Services for commercial flights at PSP.
Project Status
Procurement Phase. A consultant has been selected and airport staff is continuing discussions with Customs and Border Protection’s regional leadership about airport plans to expand international air service.
