Santa Barbara Airport Terminal Improvement Project welcomes community input

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-The Santa Barbara Airport is sharing its plans for a new terminal project.

They unveiled the plans at an open house in the Direct Relief conference room near the airport on Tuesday.

The plan calls for 33,000 square feet of new space for the terminal that would be on the south side of an existing building.

 " We really need more room for our existing passenger traffic and there are a number of reasons for that with larger aircraft the airport doing very well," said Santa Barbara Airport Director Chris Hastert, "Ultimately our passenger terminal is crowded at peak times and it is not the best experience for our local residents and tourists  coming to this area."

The plan would include two new gates, more bathrooms, expanded seating and ticketing and security areas.

There would also be more room for concession space that could include a restaurant that wouldn't just be for passengers.

Alexandra Williams is an airport neighbor preparing to fly out for a vacation.

"I use the airport a lot."

Williams said she was relieved to hear the giant 1983 Channing Peake mural entitled "Fiesta" hanging above the escalators would stay the same.

Project Planner Jessica Metzger said "So far we have had really positive input about what we are doing in the process we are only at about 10 percent right now."

Senior Design Architect Fred Sweeney said he is proud of the entrance.

He was there for its unveiling more than a decade ago and came out of retirement to help with the addition.

"This airport reflects the community."

Sweeney said he was inspired by his love of airplanes and train terminals.

"That front shape of the arch is the 737 plane that came from a look at the great train stations that came to California i.e., Union Station."

He enjoys the way it looks when people step off the plane and see the mountains and smell the citrus trees.

They are still in the design phase and welcome public input.

If you missed the meeting you can find more information on https://flySBA.com/TIP