Swinerton, a construction company, will serve as the construction manager at risk for the pre-construction phase of the expansion project at McKinney National Airport.

Council members approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a contract with the company at a Feb. 18 meeting. The project, which received site plan approval in January, will bring a 45,000-square-foot commercial passenger service terminal to the east side of McKinney National Airport by late 2026.

The details

Following a request for proposals process that received nine responses, city officials interviewed the top three candidates prior to selecting Swinerton, McKinney Facilities Construction Manager Patricia Jackson said.

The construction manager at risk will conduct pre-construction services related to the design and construction of the project, city documents state. Jackson said the firm would be involved with the design process, but also assist with constructability review, value management and other elements of the project.


The contract cost totals just over $1.95 million, city documents state.

The firm is currently constructing two other facilities at the airport, including the Corp 10 hangar and the customs and border protection facility. Jackson said both projects are several months ahead of schedule.

“I can tell you without any qualms that this is the first couple of projects that we’ve had that have come in before schedule,” Jackson said.

The context


The planned commercial passenger service terminal will include three gates with the ability to expand to five gates, a city release stated.

The roughly $72 million project will also include a 1,500-spot parking lot, six aircraft parking positions for both commercial and general aviation uses, an aircraft de-icing facility, above-ground fuel storage tanks and other supportive infrastructure. Other planned terminal amenities include:
  • A quick-service concessions stand with food and beverage options
  • Open hold rooms for passengers
  • A rental car lot
  • A ride-share drop off location
Funding for the project was initially proposed to be through voter-approved bonds, which would have funded a larger terminal project. Nearly 59% McKinney residents voted against a $200 million bond proposition that would have contributed funding to the project in 2023.

Funding for the current project proposal is expected to be sourced from federal transportation infrastructure loans as well as grants from the McKinney Community Development Corporation and the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, according to a presentation at a Jan. 7 McKinney City Council work session meeting.

The action taken


Council members voted 6-1 to approve the contract, with council member Patrick Cloutier voting against the item.

Cloutier said he is supportive of the terminal project, but believes because it would benefit the region, that the project should see financial investment from entities outside of the city.

“I need to see a partner government, like the state or the [Federal Aviation Administration], come in here with meaningful money before I'm willing to move forward,” Cloutier said. “I don't think this should all be on the taxpayer of the city of McKinney”

Cloutier said he would like to see the city pursue external funding for the project this year, and that he plans to vote against any item that would move the passenger service terminal forward until the project receives financial support from an outside entity.


Looking ahead

Construction on the project is expected to begin in May and commercial service could begin in late 2026, a city news release states.

To learn more about McKinney National Airport, visit www.flytki.com.