The state added $9,255,200 for the airport's new parking garage, bringing its grant to $22.3 million. The 1,600-space garage is due to open in February 2027.
The state of Tennessee has given Chattanooga Airport another $9,255,200 for the parking garage going up in front of the terminal. That brings the state’s grant for the project to $22,325,313, the airport said Tuesday.
The garage will add 1,600 parking spaces and is scheduled to open in February 2027.
What the airport said
The airport put the garage’s cost at $35 million. It said state funding will cover about 95% of the total. In July, President and CEO April Cameron told the airport’s board the garage would cost $34 million, with the state paying 95% and the airport 5%, according to the minutes of the July 20 board meeting.
The airport has not published the new grant agreement. Its announcement credited state Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, for backing the money.
“We are extremely grateful to all of our partners at the state of Tennessee, and most notably State Senator Bo Watson for his continued investment and commitment to our airport,” Cameron said. “The state has continually recognized the economic impact our airport has on the region and always supports the infrastructure needed for our growth.”
“This grant money will help support our growing airport, and in turn, our growing and thriving community,” Watson said.
How the $22.3 million adds up
The airport’s September board minutes list a Tennessee Department of Transportation contract for “Parking Garage Phase II” worth $13,070,113. TDOT’s annual review of that contract found no problems, the minutes say.
The new award of $9,255,200 plus that $13,070,113 equals the $22,325,313 total the airport gave on Tuesday.
Where construction stands
The airport’s board minutes track the garage month by month:
- February: more than 600 aggregate piers were in and the city had issued building permits.
- March: the first columns went up.
- June: precast columns and beams were finished and second-floor slabs were being poured.
- July: the garage was “on schedule for the February 2027 completion date.”
- September: crews were finishing the third-floor slabs, with fourth-floor work to follow.
The airport’s May budget papers say valet and shuttle services were added “to support customer convenience during construction of the parking garage,” according to the May board minutes. The same budget sets aside $1.6 million for debt service on the garage.
Why the airport wants more parking
Cameron has linked the garage to passenger growth. The airport set a record in 2025 with 632,384 passengers boarding, up 14% from 2024, the February board minutes say.
Monthly boardings in 2026 from the board minutes:
| Month | Passengers boarding | Change from 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 40,543 | down 4% |
| February | 42,254 | up 3% |
| March | 53,493 | up 6% |
| April | 55,672 | up 15% |
| May | 61,545 | up 10% |
| June | 60,829 | up 5% |
| July | 60,043 | flat |
February through June each set a record for that month. Cameron blamed January’s drop on winter weather cancellations, and said July held level even after Spirit Airlines stopped flying.
What it means for you
- Expect construction until February. The airport added valet and shuttle services for the building work, its May budget papers say. Check the airport’s parking and directions page before you fly.
- 1,600 more spaces are due when the garage opens in February 2027.
- Mostly state money. The airport said the state is paying about 95% of the cost.
- The airport authority’s board publishes its minutes on the board of commissioners page.
For other ways around the city, see our getting around guide and road closures this week.
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