TIA economy garage a bargain

The new space will be complete by May 2009.

By STEVE HUETTEL, Times Staff Writer
Published January 11, 2008

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The next economy parking garage at Tampa International Airport turned out to be a bargain even before workers turn the first shovel of dirt.

Airport officials on Thursday approved a $60-million bid for the 5,668-space structure - which is $7.3-million less than the price of the original remote economy garage four years ago.

The reason: Weaker demand for construction is forcing contractors to bring down prices. "There continues to be an aggressive subcontractor market," said Lou Russo, senior director of planning and development. "We're getting better pricing ... they're bringing down their margins."

The first project included more than $8-million in extra items, such as a $3-million rampfor the new garage. Even with all those taken out, the $10,336 cost of a single space in the new structure will be $106 cheaper in 2007 dollars, Russo said.

Half of the garage, to be built on a existing 2,000-space parking lot, will be completed in November, said executive director Louis Miller. That will provide holiday travelers parking for an additional 1,000 vehicles. The rest of the deck will be done by May 2009.

The contract also includes construction of bathrooms to replace portable toilets in the cell phone lot. An average of 900 vehicles a day - 1,700 on peak days - use the lot, designed for drivers waiting to pick up travelers.

Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.