MONTEREY >> The Monterey Regional Airport is readying the site of its new terminal building as a ceremonial groundbreaking is slated for late spring or early summer, and while a plan for a key component of its interior takes shape.

The construction drawings for the new terminal were completed in mid-November 2024 and the drawings and specifications went out to bid.

“We have elected to go with a project delivery method called ‘Construction Management as Contractor,’” said Monterey Regional Airport Executive Director Mike La Pier. “We have all the plans being reviewed by the firms that expressed interest in the project and will be interviewing all the firms later this month.”

Four construction firms are in the bid process now, and no additional firms will be considered at this time, La Pier said, and initial guaranteed maximum price proposals will be in by March with groundbreaking likely coming in May or June.

“We will have the selection process done and ready for Board approval by March” and the winning candidate announced at that time, he said.

When operations move to the new terminal once its completed in late 2026, the current terminal building will be utilized for different purposes and will continue to house its restaurant.

“The existing terminal will remain for the time being,” said La Pier.

What will become the old terminal building will still have some utility, said La Pier, just not as an airline terminal, and will likely be the site of the U.S. Customs operation for which the airport has been in discussions.

Part of the reason a new terminal is being built is because the existing terminal is too close to aircraft operations and has been operating commercial flights with a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The FAA requires that Monterey Regional Airport relocate the passenger facilities to make way for operational safety enhancements to Taxiway A, which connects to and supports the primary air carrier Runway 10R-28L, according to the airport district.

The footprint for the new terminal building and its corresponding commercial apron, or ramp, to accommodate aircraft, are currently being established.

For more than 25 years, the Monterey airport says it has shoe-horned terminal operations into limited, inefficient space in the existing terminal building which is not designed to support many of today’s aviation-required regulations.

“That does not mean the building has to be demolished,” said La Pier. “It simply means that the airline aircraft can no longer be served by the existing terminal once the taxiway is relocated to meet FAA requirements because the aircraft they use are too large to be accommodated.”

La Pier said the Monterey airport cannot bring the taxiway into compliance until the new terminal is operational and all airline service is relocated.

Among other things, the current terminal houses a popular restaurant that is accessible to the general public, but the new terminal’s design places a restaurant space in the heart of the building after people have gone through the Transportation Security Administration — TSA — checkpoint, making it only accessible to ticketed passengers and airport employees.

La Pier said that established restaurant operator, Woody’s At The Airport, has shown interest in operating both its current restaurant as well as the new terminal restaurant.

“Woody’s still has two years left on their agreement in the existing terminal. We are in discussions about an extension of the existing agreement or a new agreement,” said La Pier, who added that there is a possibility of a new agreement that would cover both restaurants.

“It should be noted that we cannot come to terms with Woody’s on the new space until it is better defined. We are working on that with Tim Wood as part of the final design,” said La Pier. “Once completed, we are confident we will reach an agreement since both parties are interested in making it happen.”

That would mean Woody’s At The Airport remains in its existing location and would have a presence in the new terminal as well.

“The public will have access to the existing facility as they do today,” said La Pier. “The new, smaller operation in the new terminal will be post-security meaning it will only be accessible by airport and airline passengers.”

Woody’s currently has a first right of refusal on the new, smaller restaurant in the new terminal, according to La Pier, and it has made its interest in working on a lease for the new space known when it is appropriate to do so.

“Given they have a first right of refusal, we intend on beginning those negotiations in the next few months,” said La Pier.

For two years running, Woody’s has been voted the “Best Airport Sit-Down Restaurant” in the United States in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice contest, beating out all other restaurants at much bigger airports in the nation.

In its latest tabulation, USA Today said, “There’s a gem of a restaurant at Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), helmed by chef Tim ‘Woody’ Wood, a local Carmel Valley favorite. Woody’s At The Airport is located before security, so travelers can expect to encounter locals who love it too. All gather to sample Woody’s daily specials, as well as his grilled steaks, sautéed sand dabs and award-winning honey chili chicken wings. Be sure to ask to see their wine list, which features several California gems.”

Woody’s at Del Mesa in Carmel Valley is the restaurant’s second location.