The design work includes a replacement for the airport's old baggage handling system, a possible central utility plant to provide cold water and additional electrical capacity, solid wood elements in the waiting rooms and outdoor terraces in the concourse. Somner said the airport will design up to 10 gates but is considering a phased opening: “Open the southern seven gates first” and later add north gates and associated ramp work to address the cost and impact of ramp construction.
As for the baggage system, Somner told commissioners that the team reviewed newer tub/RFID-based systems used at some larger airports but concluded that a traditional baggage handling system would be better suited for Boise. “It would end up taking up more space,” he said of the RFID tray systems, noting that the space requirement would have impacted Gate B14 and flight operations. The airport has appointed an airline technical representative to validate airline projections and requirements as the design progresses.
Somner described additional design priorities: wider concourse geometry (approximately 20'25 feet wider than Concourse B), increased natural light through clerestory and curtain walls, accessible elevator placement adjacent to the rotunda, improved queue depth for security, and additional restrooms. He also said the team is exploring options to comply with the City of Boise's environmental code or pursue equivalent LEED alternatives.
The focus was on trade-offs between schedule and budget. Somner said the design phase will take about 21 months, with permitting scheduled for July 2027, bidding in 2027, construction beginning in 2028 and a construction period of about 2.5 years, with an expected opening in August 2030. “That’s usually the case.” [a way to shorten it]“It depends on how much we want to pay,” he said when commissioners asked about speeding up the schedule.
Somner concluded by mentioning next steps: completing 50% of schematic drawings, briefing airlines, and developing target budget packages to guide design and procurement.
The presentation addressed commissioners' questions about passenger connections, seating and the introduction of solid wood aesthetics in Concourse B. Somner and commissioners said staff will continue outreach to stakeholders, including meetings with the mayor and airline partners.