PALM SPRINGS, CA —To the drawing board! Palm Springs International Airport is approved for redevelopment, the City Council agreed this week. The airport will get new gates, a rental car center, and an expanded baggage claim area after unanimous approval by the council for the Airport Master Plan.
The actual plan could take three to four years to fully flesh out, with the completion date expected within the next five years, according to those familiar with the project.
The plan calls for a hybrid Rental Car Center featuring a single-story structure with two sub-surface levels north of the terminal and adjacent to baggage claim, officials said. A second structure near Kirk Douglas Way could be added with sufficient demand.
As parking is long and needs addressing at this airport, that is on the list. The Master Plan does specify the size, scale, and location of the proposed terminals and parking areas, among other airport components, but it does not elaborate on certain design or funding details. Those elements are still to be determined, with officials saying that public input will be considered.
Executive Director Harry Barrett Jr. stated his thoughts on the approval and what it means going forward.
“With the City Council’s approval, PSP takes another bold step forward, ensuring it remains not only a gateway for travelers but a source of pride for the communities we serve,” EBarrett Jr. said. “We’re laying the groundwork for thoughtful, community-focused growth while ensuring the airport reflects the values of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.”
Projects identified in the Master Plan will not begin construction until PSP has completed an environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act, a process that is expected to be completed in 2026. Other steps, including financial analysis and design processes, will follow.
The first phase of terminal development “could begin in the next 3-4 years,” according to the statement, with the projects possibly completed “by the early 2030s.”
Additional information and construction maps can be found at flypsp.com/city-council-unanimously-approves-airport-master-plan-concept.
