Public Outreach for $3.8 Billion Airport Terminal Project

Challenge

As Manager of Government and Community Relations at the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, I led public outreach for the New Terminal 1 project, one of the largest infrastructure investments in San Diego's history. The Airport Authority had launched an effort to build support for its Airport Development Plan, but faced resistance from local community planning groups, business and industry stakeholders, elected officials, and sister public agencies over transit access, noise, and pollution concerns. The Board delayed approval of the plan — at a cost of $8 million per month — to allow staff additional time to address these concerns.

Approach

I was placed in charge of coordinating the second round of public outreach to these groups. I developed fact sheets, FAQs, and talking points tailored to the interests and concerns of each stakeholder group, and provided presentations and briefings to community organizations, public officials, and business and industry groups. Over four months, I helped facilitate 78 stakeholder meetings: 37 one-on-one meetings with elected officials from the San Diego Congressional Delegation, state legislators, the San Diego City Council and Mayor's Office, the County Board of Supervisors, and regional councilmembers; 10 meetings with public agencies; 18 with business and industry groups; and 14 with community planning groups surrounding the airport.

Result

In January 2020, the Board unanimously approved the project's next phase with no formal opposition during the public meeting. In October 2021, the Board approved the construction of a new $3.8 billion Terminal 1. In August 2020, the Airport Authority received the Outreach and Communication Award from Airports Council International - North America. I continued public outreach through 2022, providing over 100 general airport and construction impact updates to community groups, elected officials, business associations, and nonprofits.