Gulf Shores on Monday approved two measures to build a temporary terminal for commercial airlines at Gulf Shores International Airport.
The City Council approved a resolution approving a grant agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) between the city and the airport authority.
The $5 million grant will go toward the $7.9 million project. Gulf Shores Airport was one of 144 airports nationwide to receive a grant from the Infrastructure Bill – Airport Terminal Program.
The council also approved a memorandum of agreement for a $3 million loan to finance the remainder of the project. The 11-year repayment plan for the loan includes no interest for three years, after which interest will accrue at 6%.
The Gulf Shores Council approves two measures to bring a commercial airline terminal to the airport.
Both measures were adopted unanimously. The new 1,600 square meter terminal is scheduled to be completed in autumn 2025.
City Councilor Jason Dyken updated the council on the current status of the project.
“I don’t know if it’s been officially released yet, but I know they’re planning a meeting with the contractor before construction begins,” Dyken said.
“They negotiated pre-engineered construction and delivery in a very short period of time, and I believe the timeline for the project is 300 days of construction,” he said. “So you know it’s moving forward.”
A project manager has already been appointed and Dyken said work should begin soon.
Travelers to and from the Alabama coast currently take commercial flights from Mobile or Pensacola.
The plan to bring commercial airlines to Gulf Shores has been in the works for 10 years, and in 2021, a traffic control tower was added to the airport.
City officials say several commercial airlines have expressed interest, but have not said which ones.
Huntsville also received a $7 million grant to be used to build a new terminal and hangar.
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