St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport will break ground on its first multi-level parking garage as it braces for record-setting passenger numbers.

With projections showing 2.74 million travelers in 2025—well above the 2023 record of 2.49 million—airport officials say they can’t afford to wait for a future terminal expansion to meet growing demand for parking.

On June 6, Pinellas County, which oversees the airport, began seeking design-build proposals for a $45 million project that includes a four-story, 1,300-space garage, a new 500-space surface lot, improved intersections, and upgraded shuttle operations.

“From 2014 to 2024, our passenger numbers jumped 197%,” said airport spokesperson Michele Routh. “We’re working to keep up at every turn.”

The garage will rise on the current site of the Strawberry Pie economy lot, located beside the terminal on Roosevelt Boulevard. It will replace a portion of the airport’s roughly 3,200 existing surface spaces. The primary economy lot, known as Key Lime Pie, sits across the busy roadway—requiring shuttles to navigate heavy traffic.

The new garage will feature a dedicated shuttle priority route to reduce wait times and ensure consistent service. Officials say this will improve the passenger experience by offering quicker, more reliable transportation between parking and the terminal.

In addition to the garage, the project includes reconstructing the Roosevelt Boulevard ramp and Fairchild Drive intersection to improve traffic flow into the new facility. “Today, shuttles can get stuck at lights trying to cross Roosevelt. With this, we’ll eliminate that delay,” Routh explained.

The county’s request for proposals emphasizes cost control, efficient use of space, and a user-friendly design with clear signage, intuitive navigation, and accessible support points.

Routh noted Allegiant Airlines—by far the airport’s largest carrier—continues to drive much of the growth. The airport has already served over 100,000 more passengers in early 2025 than it had by the same time in 2024, despite hurricane-related disruptions.

“Just a couple years ago, we had the highest aircraft capacity in the country,” Routh said.

Design firms have until June 26 to submit questions, with final proposals due July 8.

Meanwhile, planning continues for a major terminal expansion—estimated at up to $220 million—the largest upgrade in the airport’s history. That design phase should wrap by summer’s end, with the airport remaining operational throughout construction.

Routh also pointed to increasing use of the Grouper Express shuttle to Clearwater Beach and expressed hope for a future route linking the airport to downtown St. Petersburg, a growing draw for visitors.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

(Image credit: St. Pete-Clearwater Airport)

PIE-Sun.com: local St. Pete-Clearwater news