Birmingham, AL

Planning and Design of Birmingham Airport Rental Car Service Center

Client: Birmingham Airport Authority
Our Role: Programming, planning, architectural design support, stakeholder coordination, and cost estimate management

View of the AVIS rental car building with secure fencing, landscaped entry drive, and clearly marked signage at the Birmingham Rental Car Service Center.

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport needed to replace its aging and overloaded rental car service infrastructure. The existing facilities no longer met the operational demands of rental car companies or the Birmingham Airport Authority’s sustainability goals. A modernized solution was essential with increasing air traffic, a growing need for efficiency, and a reduced carbon footprint.

GFT led the programming and design processes of a new Quick Turnaround (QTA) facility, delivering a consolidated rental car service center that prioritizes operational performance, stakeholder alignment, and environmental stewardship. Our design team planned the facility for scalability and aligned it with projected Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) growth forecasts. We integrated green design principles in each design phase to reduce waste and lower the facility’s carbon footprint. The team collaborated closely with rental car companies and airport stakeholders to ensure consensus and long-term viability. We focused on minimizing negative impacts through early design stage engagement and thoughtful design strategies.    

Key Features

Over 60,000 square feet of building area across 30 acres.
Dedicated secure lots for Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Hertz.
Twenty-eight fuel and vacuum positions.
Seven vehicle wash bays.
Seventeen maintenance bays.
Capacity to store up to 3,500 vehicles.
Integrated administrative, vehicle maintenance, wash, and fueling areas.
Space allocated for future expansion.

Outcomes

Delivered on time and within the $30 million budget.
Achieved 61% local subconsultant involvement.
The phased construction approach enabled seamless implementation.
Achieved alignment across multiple stakeholders.
Provided long-term flexibility to accommodate projected demand and growth.
Design choices led to improved operational flow and reduced long-term energy consumption.
American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina, 2026, Engineering Excellence Awards, Grand Award for Transportation.