The Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA) completed one of the largest construction projects in its history, Nashville International Airport’s 1.2-million-square-foot consolidated rental car facility (conrac), which will open on Nov. 1, according to an MNAA press release from Oct. 25.

The conrac, which is larger than the airport terminal, is located across from the terminal in what was formerly part of one of the airport’s long-term parking lots. The creation of this three-level building increases the airport’s rental car capacity by about 1,400 cars, for a total of 2,400, and also frees up an additional 600 spaces in the short-term garage, increasing its capacity by 30 percent.

“We’ve increased capacity, not just in car rentals, but short-term parking as well. And there’s still no shuttle required to rent a car,” said Raul Regalado, president and CEO of the MNAA. “This continues the airport’s commitment to being a great front door to the city.”

Facility features:

• Across the street from the terminal
• Nine rental car brands — all of which, except for Advantage Rent A Car, were at the airport already
• 2,400 ready/return stalls
• 10 car wash bays
• 21,000 square feet of covered walkways for customers walking straight from the terminal to the facility
• 900 linear feet of moving walkways

The structure also includes several environmentally sustainable elements, such as energy-efficient lighting, the use of reclaimed water for washing the rental cars and a quick-turnaround facility that is now onsite, saving 800,000 miles of driving per year.

Construction on the project began in February of last year and has been completely paid for by customer facility or rental car charges, without the use of any local tax dollars. Click here for a past story on the fees.