Conceptual plans for expanding and upgrading the Santa Barbara Airport’s passenger terminal — including adding new gates and improving other amenities — will be presented Tuesday during an informal open house.
Members of the public will be able to learn about the design concepts for the Terminal Improvement Project at the event that will be held between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday in the conference room at Direct Relief, 6100 Wallace Becknell Road.
The goal of the Terminal Improvement Project is to accommodate a predicted increase of passengers traveling through the airport.
The project aims to continue safe, convenient, and comfortable levels of service at the terminal. The open house will give community members a peek at these ideas and the opportunity to provide feedback, according to a news release from SBA.
“It’s really the first look at what this project is all about,” Angelica Daus, marketing supervisor for SBA, told Noozhawk.
Those attending can expect to see boards with images and information about the project. They also will be able to see the conceptual design for the project and learn more about why the project is needed.
The airport has partnered with Guide Dogs for the Blind, therapy dog programs, a local moms groups, and seniors groups to ensure the terminal is accessible and easy to navigate, Daus said.
“Any feedback that people are seeing from the design that they think could help with accessibility needs and our passenger experience, we’re open ears,” Daus said.
The project is early in the conceptual design phrase. According to the project timeline, the design is estimated to be finalized in 2024, with construction likely to begin in 2026.
The Terminal Improvement Project is part of the 2017 Airport Master Plan, which aims to support sustainable design, allow the airport to continue to serve as an economic contributor, and to provide safe and secure facilities.
The proposed project consists of 33,000 square feet of new space. The largest portion would be at the south end of the existing building.
Other significant improvements include new and improved gate seating areas, expanded concession space, two additional gates, and enhancements to the existing baggage claim, security screening areas, and ticketing counters.
The open house will give the public an opportunity to discuss and provide input on the improvements. Community members will be able to ask questions and leave comments with the airport staff and consultant team members who will be at the open house.
The Santa Barbara Airport is considered a “small hub” for air travel, and is served by Alaska, American, United and Southwest airlines.
The airport has experienced a roughly 40% growth in commercial passenger boardings since 2011, and is forcast to experience a 5% passenger increase each year, according to the Master Plan update.
Daus told Noozhawk that the terminal improvement will help with the increase in passengers and make traveling more convenient.
“It’s going to help maintain that comfortable level of space and security that you feel when you’re in the terminal when it isn’t busy,” Daus said. “It’s also going to help with the convenience and the ease of travel through our buildings.”
Residents wanting to keep up with the project can sign up for email updates and follow the Santa Barbara Airport on social media.