Palm Springs moves forward with plans to expand PSP’s inbound baggage claim area
The Palm Springs City Council approved a proposal for construction services to renovate and expand the inbound baggage claim area at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP).
PSP has grown significantly over the past five years. In 2022, it was named one of the fastest-growing airports in the country.
With this in mind, officials are looking to better accommodate the increased passenger activity to increase public space, improve circulation, and accommodate greater bag claim capacity.
Last year, the airport faced issues with its multi-million dollar outbound baggage handling system, with baggage issues that is costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. In Sept. 2022, the Federal Aviation Agency visited the airport to help find solutions to overloaded baggage system.
According to city documents, the airport's existing baggage claim area is approximately 180 feet wide and 110 feet deep. It is currently equipped with three flat plate bag claim devices with approximately 835 feet total belt length (including offload positions), and rental car service counters and offices located along the front wall of the lobby.
The new area will consist of the existing lobby area of 19,800 square feet and the expansion area of approximately 10,000 square feet totaling of approximately 29,800 square feet.
The project area is generally located at the northeast area of the existing airport facility along Kirk Douglas Way.
The city council voted on Monday to award a contract to Skanska USA Building Inc. for preconstruction and construction services for the project.
According to city documents, the estimated cost for the initial guaranteed price to complete the construction services is $29,041,747 with an estimated contingency amount of $4,356,000. About 93% of the costs will be covered by grants, leaving the city covering nearly $2.2 million, which will be funded by the Airport Special Capital Projects Fund 416 fund balance.
The Airport intends to apply for additional Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grant funds to supplement the use of BIL-AIG during the next open application process with the FAA; however, city officials noted that the process is competitive with other airports and grant funding is not guaranteed.
There was no word on when the expansion could be completed. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
