Board advances 2026 utilization plan, approves interlocal and procedural contracts and two construction awards

The Naples Airport Authority reviewed and advanced its 2026 utilization plan and approved a set of operational and construction actions that the staff said are needed to maintain safe operations.

Miguel Carballo, director of planning and development, presented a refined utilization plan that lists 20 conceptual projects across aeronautical, mixed‑use and non‑aeronautical categories. Projects include North Quad landfill remediation and water‑management improvements, West Quad grading and drainage work, standardized blast pads on primary runways, apron and taxiway geometry updates, a redesigned North Road terminal apron (staff recommended Option B), a proposed observation deck/playground (zoning discussion pending with the City of Naples), rental‑car support facilities and multiple hangar replacements.

Commissioners asked staff to incorporate tenant and community input and to present a prioritized package that distinguishes safety‑critical aviation projects (taxiway geometry, blast pads, drainage/obstruction mitigation) from non‑aeronautical amenities. The board indicated support for Option 12B (apron/taxi layout with minimal parking reduction) as staff’s preferred design alternative.

On action items, the board approved reauthorizing an interlocal mutual‑aid agreement with Collier County (to formalize shared operational support and a mechanism for funding Marco Island approach‑procedure work), then approved a contract with Hughes Aerospace (about $235,537 reported in the packet) to support approach‑procedure work at Marco Island, and approved a construction contract for rental‑facility/hangar renovation and a tower generator/UPS replacement project (both with contingency buffers). The board also moved to proceed with the North Quad landfill remediation design and bidding, amending the consultant scope to remove an estimated $89,000 for an environmental assessment that FAA determined was unnecessary; staff said the cost‑to‑construct estimate for remediation is roughly $8–11 million and that permitting and design would take about 6–9 months.

Board action on these items was recorded in the meeting: interlocal agreement and Hughes Aerospace contract motions carried; construction awards for hangar renovation and tower generator replacement were approved; staff will return on the North Quad item to finalize the contract amendment and schedule as required by governance and the return of a temporarily absent commissioner.

Next steps: staff will submit the 2026 utilization plan through the historic city process, refine the North Quad procurement and permitting timeline, engage with tenants on site‑specific needs, and incorporate the board’s direction into the FY‑2027 budget and FAA/state funding coordination.