Santa Barbara airport plans $100 million expansion project, new parking structure

After falling behind schedule, the city of Santa Barbara is moving forward with a $100 million airport terminal expansion and new parking structure at the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport.

Construction is not expected to start until 2026, but the Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday agreed to spend $1.4 million on a conceptual design.

The project already received environmental review because it was part of the Airport Master Plan discussion in 2017.

“We are behind,” said Sara Iza, land development manager at the airport. “We could have built this project a few years ago. We are going to be moving as fast as we can once we get the contract approved.”

The expansion is being fueled by a 27% growth in passengers since 2011, and a projected 79% growth by 2032.

Plans call for the expansion of the terminal to add two passenger gates and waiting room space; additional food and retail space on the second floor; and improvements to the ticketing, self check-in, baggage claim and Transportation Security Administration area.

The parking structure will be multi-level, with 800 to 1,400 spaces. Currently the airport has an overflow lot north of Hollister with 500 spaces.

“The idea is to make those spaces more available, closer to the terminal, and provide some additional room for growth,” said Brad Klinzing, supervising airport engineer.

The design is expected to be complete by the end of 2024, with construction beginning in 2026 and the entire project completed in 2028.

“I am looking forward to some of these improvements as we increase demand and get our new carriers in there,” said Councilman Eric Friedman.