Councilmember Michael Johnson's
Arizona Informant Column
July 16, 2003
New Rental Car Center Will Benefit Travelers
An ambitious project at Phoenix Sky Harbor will increase parking spaces in the airport's terminals and garages, decrease traffic through the core of the airport and minimize confusion for travelers. The project construction will begin on the airport's Rental Car Center this fall.
"It will provide a consistent and level playing field for all car rental companies," according to Tamie Fisher, City of Phoenix, Special Projects Administrator.
This is a great project that will have a significant economic impact and include a much-needed boost for jobs. We estimate that 400 to 500 jobs will created as a result of construction. In addition, this will be a wonderful opportunity for minority- and women-owned businesses, because the construction process will include contracting and purchasing opportunities.
Sky Harbor will begin bidding in the fall, so make sure to check out Arizona Informant issues. The city will be advertising the processes and opportunities in this and other publications.
I'm excited about this facility, because it will house all of the rental car companies that serve Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
When it opens in 2005, passengers who wish to rent cars will no longer need to seek out individual rental agency buses at the airport curbs. Instead, one common bus will transport them to the nearby consolidated rental car center.
All of the rental agency counters and vehicles will be located in one location. When customers return their rental cars, they will go back to the center, and board a bus to the airport. The bus ride is expected to be less than ten minutes, about the same length of time customers now experience with off-airport car rental companies. The rental car center is anticipated to consist of a three-level structured parking deck with a customer service building located on the top floor. It will be located between 16th Street and Interstate 10, and between Sky Harbor Circle South and Interstate 17. The facility is designed to be consistent with the Sky Harbor Center corporate business image.
Michael Johnson is a Phoenix City Council member who represents District 8. You can reach his office at 602-262-7493 or via e-mail at michael.johnson@phoenix.gov .
