RENDERING OF THE MARKET AREA INSIDE BAILEY TERMINAL AFTER ITS EXPANSION
Starting in mid-June, the Punta Gorda Airport began a major upgrade and expansion of its Bailey Terminal.
The project includes renovating 28,250 square feet of the existing 68,000-square-foot terminal, while adding about 50,700 square feet of new space.
Airport officials say the upgrades will create a better experience for passengers, with shorter security wait times, expanded waiting areas and restrooms, more food and beverage options, and improved curbside traffic flow.
Construction is expected to take two years, with completion targeted for July 2027. DeAngelis Diamond Construction is the designer and builder.
The airport, known as PGD is expanding in response to explosive demand. In 2024, PGD reported 16.8 million passengers—2 million more than in 2023. So far this year, monthly passenger counts are up 20 percent over the same time last year.
“This expansion is necessary to meet the demands of the traveling public and our continued growth,” said airport spokesperson Kaley Miller. “We ask that passengers are patient while construction and renovation is ongoing over the next couple of years.”
The $44 million cost will be covered by $16.9 million from the FAA, $12.5 million from the Florida Department of Transportation, and $15 million from passenger fees collected by the airport.
Also included are a new in-line baggage handling system and a new car rental center, expected to open in June.
The expanded terminal will feature new restaurants and food and beverage options in the post-security departure area, including a Wolfgang Puck restaurant and bar, a grab-and-go market, and a Dunkin’
Airport officials highlighted some of the improvements passengers will notice:
• Baggage: A new in-line baggage system will reduce TSA screening times for outbound luggage.
• Security: Expanded TSA screening areas will allow more room for lines and reduce wait times.
• Restrooms: Larger restrooms with baby changing stations and baggage hooks.
• Waiting areas: A new concourse will offer larger waiting areas, natural light, Wi-Fi, and charging stations.
• Food and concessions: More dining choices and shopping for books, gifts, and accessories.
• Curbside congestion: Extra space at pickup and drop-off areas to improve safety and traffic flow.
DeAngelis Diamond is familiar with PGD, having built the previous terminal expansion in 2015. That project more than quadrupled the Bailey Terminal—built in 2007 and named after seven brothers from Punta Gorda who served in World War II and Korea—from 15,000 square feet to 68,000 square feet.
Airport construction projects pose unique logistical challenges, but this one is especially complex for a smaller airport like PGD.
“Almost every single gate that they have will be impacted by this,” said Scott Beck, vice president and manager of the company’s Sarasota division. “So, if you look at the project in terms of its disruption to a campus, I would say this is the most disruptive airport expansion project to an existing operation that I’ve seen.”
Some of the work includes moving aircraft parking spots and drainage, updating the apron where planes park, and relocating the TSA checkpoint.
“It becomes a very tricky dance that we do, but it comes down to planning,” said Josh Beverly, the company’s Punta Gorda project manager.
This entails close coordination with both the airport and Allegiant Air, the airport’s main commercial carrier.
“What’s interesting about working on an active campus is that you have to find a way to make sure the show safely goes on around you,” Beck said. “We don’t plan our construction projects around what is most efficient for construction. We plan our construction projects on what works for the airport.”
Construction may occasionally require shifting flight times or rerouting planes to different gates. During the expansion phase, passengers will reach their planes via temporary walkways made from repurposed shipping containers.
Still, Beck said, passengers likely won’t notice much construction until they’re looking out the window of their plane.
DeAngelis Diamond’s other aviation work in the region includes projects at Southwest Florida International Airport, Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, Page Field, Naples Airport, Marco Island Executive Airport, and Immokalee Airport.
“Long after this project is done, we’ll still be flying into and out of the PGD airports, the SRQ airports, the RSW airports,” Beck said. “So, these projects mean a lot to us. Our families use them just like we do. We want to make sure it’s done right.”
