Airport Seeks Flexible Terms for Vendor Spaces
MSP Airport found vendors for less than half of its available restaurant and retail spaces after a May request for proposals.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Commercial
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Metropolitan Airports Commission staff told commissioners that vendors were found for less than half of the roughly 40% of restaurant and retail space offered at both terminals. The commission will vote November 16 on authorizing direct tenant negotiations with flexible rent and lease terms.
Why it matters
The shortfall follows pushback over high rent and strict lease conditions, prompting the airport to reconsider its approach. Commissioner Richard Forschler said the commission may have missed the mark on current economic conditions for businesses.
The airport offered about 80,000 square feet across 10 bundled batches, and nobody responded to four of them. Required terms include 10-year leases and rent of 10% of gross revenue for food, 12% for retail, and 15% for alcohol, with airport minimum wage reaching $17 an hour next year.
The players
Metropolitan Airports Commission
The Metropolitan Airports Commission is the public body that oversees Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and votes on its leasing and concession policies.
Richard Forschler
Richard Forschler is a member of the Metropolitan Airports Commission who has publicly questioned the commission's approach to business conditions.
The details
The airport issued a request for proposals in May for about 40% of restaurant and retail spaces in both terminals and bundled them into 10 batches. Staff chose not to award a group that was the only respondent on two batches, and businesses would also have to pay their own taxes, utilities, and maintenance while agreeing to price caps.
Timeline
May: The airport issued the request for proposals for commercial spaces.
June: An informational meeting drew about 300 interested parties.
This week: Commissioner Richard Forschler made comments at a committee meeting.
November 16: The full commission is scheduled to vote on authorizing direct tenant negotiations.
Market Landscape
Airports rely heavily on concession rent, which the MSP airport reported at $250 million last year, making fully leased restaurant and retail space a key revenue driver. Shortfalls in vendor interest like this one suggest that high rent and strict lease terms may be deterring the small and mid-sized operators that airport concessions depend on.
Businesses interested in operating restaurants or shops at MSP may find more room to negotiate rent and lease terms if the commission approves direct negotiations. Travelers could see changes to the mix of food and retail options in the terminals as new tenants are selected.
The takeaway
The airport's move to negotiate directly signals that terms once considered standard may need adjustment for tenants facing current economic conditions. Prospective operators should watch the November 16 vote for the flexibility the commission ultimately approves.
What happens next
The full Metropolitan Airports Commission is scheduled to vote on November 16 on whether to authorize staff to negotiate directly with interested tenants on flexible rent and lease terms.
Further reading
For more on the local market, see Commercial real estate coverage for Minneapolis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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