A planned redevelopment project at Palm Springs International Airport, including new gates, a rental car center and expanded baggage claim, was moving forward Friday following approval of the plan by the Palm Springs City Council.
The council unanimously approved the Airport Master Plan conceptual development plan Thursday.
Included in the plan is a hybrid Rental Car Center, featuring a single-story structure with two sub-surface levels north of the terminal and adjacent to baggage claim, officials said. A second structure near Kirk Douglas Way could be added with sufficient demand.
While the Master Plan does specify size, scale and location of the proposed terminals and parking areas, among other airport components, it does not elaborate on certain design or funding details. Those elements are still to be determined, with officials saying in a statement that public input will be taken into account.
“With the City Council’s approval, PSP takes another bold step forward, ensuring it remains not only a gateway for travelers but a source of pride for the communities we serve,” Executive Director Harry Barrett Jr. said in a statement. “We’re laying the groundwork for thoughtful, community-focused growth while ensuring the airport reflects the values of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.”
Projects identified in the Master Plan will not begin construction until PSP has completed an environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act, a process that is expected to be completed in 2026. Other steps, including financial analysis and design processes, will follow.
The first phase of terminal development “could begin in the next 3-4 years,” according to the statement, with the projects possibly completed “by the early 2030s.”
Additional information and construction maps can be found at flypsp.com/city-council-unanimously-approves-airport-master-plan-concept.