The department will buy 352 acres of vacant land on the airport's west side from Skypark International LC and Mountain Enterprises LLC, units of a family-owned real estate company in Sanpete County.

The department agreed to pay $30 million for the property, although a survey and environmental assessment could cause that figure to change, airport spokeswoman Barbara Gann said Friday.

The deal is expected to close between Dec. 15 and Jan. 5, said Wendell Jacobson, one of the property owners.

In September, airport executives said they were considering an extensive overhaul of the aging airport's concourses and terminals. Detailed plans, cost estimates or timetables haven't been prepared. But the airport has run out of gates and several airlines have informally asked new Executive Director Maureen Riley to explore how the airport could be improved.

On Friday, Gann said "it's possible" the acreage could be used to expand the airport.

"It's a parcel that we've had our eye on for awhile. It gives us the flexibility for expansion as needed, and if that doesn't occur, to protect against encroachments into airport areas," Gann said.

Gann said a new airport terminal probably would not be constructed on the land. Concourses or runways would be more likely.

"It depends on how the master plan develops," she said.

The rectangular property north of Wright Brothers Drive and west of the airport boundary may have been a bargain. Jacobson said he received offers from potential buyers that were higher.

Jacobson owns the property with his brothers Gene and Evan. He said they accepted the airport's offer because the transaction would close sooner. They own and manage more than 8,000 apartment units in 12 states.

A quick sale "would give us an opportunity to spend more time doing other things," Wendell Jacobson said.

The brothers bought the land more than 10 years ago from the estate of Oakley residents Frank and Nadine Gillmore.