GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – With larger airports in Florida, travelers can expect to spend hours in the security line. It is often a longer drive to get there. Traffic can cause unexpected delays and parking can be a challenge.
Managers at the Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) hope a new four-story parking garage will make things easier on travelers and provide an attractive reason to stay local when getting away by air.
“That is one of the many things we do here at Gainesville. We fly easy,” Todd Chase, Gainesville Regional Airport Authority board member told the crowd gathered for the groundbreaking of the parking facility. “I think that is an important part of what we do. This is going to be a big part of this. We are going to have more than 400 parking spots, EV charging stations, rest rooms and covered parking.”
Airport officials say the new parking garage will have 418 spaces.
Erin Porter, airport manager of marketing and public relations, says the parking garage is designed to simplify traffic flow by providing an area away from the terminal for buses, airport shuttles, taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft.
Porter says pedestrians won’t have to cross busy roadways which will make it easier for passengers to access the GNV terminal. Porter also says passengers will be protected during the short walk by a lighted, covered walkway for greater security.
Porter says the $13 million parking garage will be located on what is now the overflow parking area next to the terminal.
“In order to realize significant cost efficiencies and to conserve available land in the terminal area, the project will be incorporated into a planned parking deck project to be undertaken by the Authority,” said Porter.
Construction is expected be finished in about a year.
Currently, American, Delta and Silver Airways offer flights from Gainesville Regional Airport.