CLEARWATER — City Council members awarded a $13.7 million construction contract to Bandes Construction Co. for a new terminal and runway improvements at Clearwater Executive Airpark.
The project, expected to take about 18 months, is heavily subsidized by state aviation grants and private investment, with the city’s fixed base operator, FlyUSA, reimbursing most of the local matching costs.
“The project is heavily supported by FDOT aviation grant funding and private investment through Clearwater’s FBO partner FlyUSA, significantly reducing the financial impact to the city,” Mike McDonald, director of Clearwater’s Marine and Aviation Department, told council members.
Council members also unanimously approved an amendment to an existing Florida Department of Transportation grant that adds $2.4 million and brings the state’s total contribution to $3.9 million, or 50% of the project cost. The local match will be funded through a $760,000 Penny for Pinellas allocation planned for fiscal year 2027, with FlyUSA reimbursing the remaining local share.
The work is divided into three phases. The first includes design and construction of a 17,800-square-foot, two-story terminal with space for a fixed base operator, a flight training school, a flight simulator, corporate offices and tenant amenities. The second phase covers terminal apron and entrance roadway work along with design of a 200-space parking lot. The third phase focuses on airfield improvements including stormwater retention ponds, taxiway reconstruction and reconfiguration to meet Federal Aviation Administration and FDOT standards, and resurfacing of aprons and taxi lanes.
The 47-acre city-owned airport at 1000 N. Hercules Ave. primarily serves private recreational and business aviation, accommodating small single-engine and multi-engine piston aircraft, private jets and helicopters. Officials estimate approximately 50,000 operations annually, with about 125 aircraft based at the facility. The airport operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with no landings permitted overnight.
FlyUSA operates the airport under a long-term lease and is responsible for fueling, hangar and tie-down management, flight training and other aeronautical services.
Council member Mike Mannino thanked FlyUSA for agreeing to cover any cost overruns and said he was excited about the project’s safety enhancements.
Mayor Bruce Rector called the upgrade overdue and said the public-private partnership eases the burden on taxpayers.
“Executive airports throughout Tampa Bay are incredibly important,” Rector said. “It really takes quite a load off the taxpayers by working this public-private partnership.”
Council member Ryan Cotton said the airport is a critical asset for disaster response.
“When storms hit, one of the only ways we can get resources into this county will be through Clearwater Executive Airpark,” Cotton said. “To see it being revitalized and brought up to better standards is a monumental point in our city.”
The city is also installing a rotating beacon at the airport, funded in part by a $110,000 state grant and FlyUSA, to help pilots locate the runway at night or in poor weather.