The main terminal building at the Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field was constructed in 1950 and is sorely outdated and failing to meet safety, passenger, and community needs. A recently-adopted Airport Master Plan Update, which was required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), includes a strong recommendation that a new terminal building be constructed in the near future.
The estimated cost of a new main terminal building is $22 million. Unfortunately, while terminal buildings are eligible for funding under the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, they are considered a low priority. Therefore, the City of Yakima must seek alternative funding partners to invest in the replacement of the Yakima Air Terminal –McAllister Field main terminal building and the future of the airport itself.
The main terminal building is not only key to aircraft operations, but is the hub for all activity at the airport. The addition of a new main terminal building will help ensure the continued success of the Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field and help expand air service in the Yakima Valley.
Over the past decade, nearly $20 million have been invested in the airport’s infrastructure, including new access roads for businesses, taxiway reconstruction, safety upgrades, and additional land. By 2026, almost $44 million in additional improvements, including a new main terminal building, are planned in order to fully maximize the multiple benefits the airport provides to the Yakima community and the entire Central Washington region.
Funding Sources:
Federal Aviation Administration, Passenger Facility Charges, Supporting Investment and Economic Development (SIED), Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division, City of Yakima
Projected Funding Gap:
$10 million