Idaho Falls gets terminal expansion update; enabling work due Sept. 16, staff aims for GMP in early 2027

Idaho Falls city staff and the airport’s design and engineering team briefed the council on Aug. 10 about the multi‑part terminal expansion and the enabling utility and infrastructure package now under construction. Staff said the current enabling package—which consolidates electrical services into a new external powerhouse, adds redundancy for chilled water and boilers, and reconfigures aircraft parking and apron systems—has a scheduled completion date of Sept. 16.

“The scheduled completion for this 1st package, which is September 16,” said Melissa Cross of Alliance Architects, describing the powerhouse, new generator locations and redundancy measures. Nathan Kabbalah, the project manager with Arturo Engineering, explained that the utility/infrastructure package included footings and foundations that will allow the contractor to remain mobilized while staff completes Phase 1 design.

Staff described Phase 1 as a single‑story expansion on the south end of the terminal that adds roughly 21,700 square feet for bag makeup and a larger ticket lobby (about 16,700 square feet of remodeled ticket lobby space), additional restrooms and back‑of‑house airline support spaces. The project team said it expects to issue the Phase 1 pricing package to the market in late November, assemble subcontractor pricing and present a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) to council in early 2027; staff estimated about 24 months of construction once the GMP is approved.

On financing, airport staff said the project blends federal aviation entitlement and discretionary AIP funds, IIJA earmarks, passenger facility charges (the $4.50 per ticket PFC), an ITD aeronautics grant of $1,000,000 and available airport reserves; staff said the city, as airport sponsor, would be the guarantor for any short‑term borrowing anticipated in the $7–$10 million range depending on final construction costs. “We have somewhere between $36 and $37,000,000 available,” one airport official said when outlining current funds and potential borrowing to cover gaps.

Staff said the airport will continue design work over the fall, release the footings and foundations package to keep the contractor working, and return with a GMP recommendation after pricing and final design are complete. The presentation included sample renderings and comparisons to earlier planning studies to show how Phase 1 was being held back from a two‑story “Great Hall” so the city can add a second level later if additional funding becomes available.

Provenance: topicintro SEG 026