Construction on the new passenger terminal at Paine Field in Everett continues. (Noah Haglund / The Herald)

Construction on the new passenger terminal at Paine Field in Everett continues. (Noah Haglund / The Herald)

More parking sought for nearly completed airport terminal

Propeller Airports hopes to expand its Paine Field footprint by more than 40 percent.

EVERETT — In a sign of how popular Paine Field passenger flights could become, the company overseeing the nearly finished terminal building there is looking to expand customer parking in a big way.

A proposed change to the lease between Propeller Airports and Snohomish County, which owns and operates the airport, would enlarge the project’s footprint by more than 40 percent, to about 15 acres. The expansion area has been used for aircraft.

That would help provide room for about 1,100 parking stalls, Propeller CEO Brett Smith said.

“I don’t want people to get there and not have a place to park,” he said. “That would make the experience horrible. People would miss flights. It’s better to have more than less in this situation.”

Smith said he was thinking of peak periods such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The parking adjustments come as federal officials prepare to release a key environmental document at the end of the month and terminal construction approaches completion.

The extra land would allow room to nearly double the 574 parking spaces described in earlier plans.

The County Council is set to vote on the contract amendment during its 9 a.m. meeting Wednesday.

Parking has been part of the discussion since Propeller and the county reached their original lease agreement in 2015, county spokesman Kent Patton said.

More recently, the number of proposed flights has doubled to 24 per day. Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have announced plans to operate there.

Patton said another factor is that Propeller and the airlines now anticipate more tourist travelers. Compared to business travelers, vacationers are thought to be more likely to drive their own cars to the airport, rather than take a shuttle or taxi, he said.

Before paying customers can catch direct flights from Everett to Denver or San Francisco, among several other Western cities, the Federal Aviation Administration must update its environmental assessment for the terminal. The agency’s 2012 study examined half the number of flights, though generally with older, noisier jets.

“The FAA remains on track to release the draft supplemental environmental assessment to the public at the end of September,” an agency spokesman said in an email.

After the document becomes public, people will have 30 days to comment. The FAA also must schedule a public hearing. Flights could start early next year, if the process moves along.

Propeller’s Smith said he expects terminal construction to finish up early next month.

The updated lease agreement would increase Propeller’s monthly rate to nearly $54,000 from about $37,000 now. The airport also is due to receive a share of ticket and parking revenue, once the terminal is up and running.

The lease is valid for 30 years, with two optional 10-year extensions.

Janice Podsada contributed to this report.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@herald net.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.