Knoxville's airport moves forward with $180 million parking garage as lots fill up fast

A new parking garage at McGhee Tyson Airport is taking shape with a preliminary design as part of a multiyear plan to make room for record-breaking passenger traffic.

The concept, a $180 million, 1.2-million-square-foot garage, is the largest and most expensive construction project in the airport's 86-year history, edging out a $134 million runway that opened in 2021. The garage will replace surface parking next to the airport's current garage, adding 3,500 spaces across six parking levels once it's completed in 2026.

Its design, developed by engineering firm Gresham Smith, "places a strong emphasis on showcasing the natural beauty of the region," the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority said in a handout. A preliminary rendering showed the garage mirroring the Great Smoky Mountains that lend Knoxville's airport its scenic backdrop.

As the airport marked its seventh consecutive month of record year-to-year passenger totals in September, leaders also acknowledged a year when short- and long-term parking lots filled up quickly and the need for more parking became crystal clear.

On Oct. 8, as Knox County Schools began fall break, the airport posted on its social media accounts telling passengers to arrive at least two hours before their flights because of full parking lots. The comment section was filled with several longtime passengers who said the parking supply was at its lowest level in memory.

The airport said both its parking and its terminal building were "at or beyond their ability to meet their current demand for services," even as it expects to surpass 3 million total passengers in 2025.

In June, the airport announced a new overflow lot with shuttle service on the other side of the Airport Hilton. The lot, called Economy Lot C, will become a regular parking area later this year and is used on an as-needed basis when other lots fill up.

At its October board meeting, the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority approved two contracts to advance the garage project, both funded through grants from the Tennessee Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division.

Messer Construction, a Cincinnati-based company with a local office, will receive nearly $200,000 for pre-construction work. Gresham Smith, a Nashville firm with a local office that frequently works on airport projects, will receive over $6 million for architectural and engineering design. Construction is set to begin in the spring or summer of 2024.

Further funding for the garage could come from a combination of the airport's cash reserves, state funds, supported debt or accumulated customer facility charges, a user fee on airport rental cars.

Knoxville airport parking garage is part of larger program

The garage is the first phase in the Terminal Area Development Program, which includes the addition of four to six terminal gates "to accommodate the airport's growing passenger traffic, the increase in daily flights, larger aircraft serving the market and the potential to add more flights and airlines," the airport said.

The number of gates and the design of the terminal expansion are awaiting a final design, expected in early 2024. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

Both the parking garage and terminal designs were influenced by a public survey the airport posted online. Through the month of August, the public could select photographs and words that best exemplified the unique offerings of Knoxville and East Tennessee.

The garage project will include rental car expansion, widening of the airport's lower roadway and better pedestrian access to the terminal building. In its final phase, the Terminal Area Development Program could include added TSA checkpoint lanes, added ticket counters and more food and drink options.

Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: McGhee Tyson Airport designs new parking garage to meet record growth