TPA's Master Plan Phase 1 recognized with award for community impact

Tampa International Airport was awarded the Executive Director’s Award from the Hillsborough Planning Commission for Phase 1 of the Airport’s Master Plan expansion – an ambitious $1 billion project that transformed the Airport experience.

“The Airport has implemented Phase 1 of its Master Plan so as to raise the bar on one of the best airports in the world,” said Melissa Zornitta, Planning Commission Executive Director. “Now, the first and last thing visitors to Tampa see is a modern and beautiful facility filled with the local flavor of Tampa, from shops and restaurants, to public art installations.”

The Executive Director’s Award was given out on Oct. 29 at the 27th Annual Planning & Design Awards. The award recognized TPA for its outstanding leadership for the innovative modernization of TPA, the addition of local flavors, and the expansion of community access through greater regional transit and new worldwide destinations.

The Airport has previously won the award of Outstanding Contribution to the Community in 2015 for our LEAF Sustainable Management Plan.

Master Plan Phase 1 is part of a three-phase expansion allowing the Airport to accommodate 35 million annual passengers. The phase included a new Rental Car Center, SkyConnect train system, a complete overhaul of the Airport’s 70 shops and restaurants as well as a facelift for the Main Terminal’s Transfer Level.

“A major economic engine for our region, TPA is the jewel of the community, redesigned not only to be convenient for travelers, but also to be community-friendly with better connections for locals getting and through the airport,” Zornitta said.