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Backers don't give up on new airport terminal
By JON WILSON, Times Staff Writer EDITOR'S NOTE: An occasional article about activity on south Pinellas County's Tampa Bay waterfront. ST. PETERSBURG -- Whatever happened to the new terminal proposed for Albert Whitted Airport? For a while, a new building at the airport's northwest corner seemed like it might be a given, even though there never was an official groundbreaking. An artist's rendering showed a pretty snazzy place, complete with pillars and glass and palm trees. The concept made the current terminal, put up during the Great Depression, look like something from one of those movies where everyone wears goggles and leather helmets. It's especially galling for Albert Whitted boosters to see new terminals built at small airports in Tampa, Lakeland, the Florida prairie town of Sebring, and Plant City, the strawberry capital. Unforeseen costs stalled the terminal here, say the airport folks, including things like getting rid of contaminated dirt under the terminal location. Some hangars had to be relocated or replaced. Drainage and engineering work was needed. But the idea lives. Those who would like to see a new era at Albert Whitted have begun to push their case anew. They make interesting arguments, basing them on business, one of the elements serious cities generally embrace. They argue that a more attractive airport, including a terminal tied in with the port and an ever-redeveloping downtown, will help bring people to St. Petersburg, bolster business and generate tax money. Rick Cureton is vice president of Southcoast Marine Products in Pinellas Park. The company makes hardware such as bow rails and ladders for clients all over the South. They've flown from Albert Whitted for a quarter-century, cutting the time it takes to reach customers. "It's really a business tool," Cureton said. "You can be somewhere in the state in an hour." Why not use St. Petersburg-Clearwater International? There's a waiting list to get hangar space there, Cureton said, and his company already has it at Albert Whitted. Mike Cheezem, whose JMC Communities built the Florencia downtown, has another take. "The bigger picture is that this airport is going to be much more valuable in the future when we start going point-to-point rather than hub-and-spoke," Cheezem said, referring to more direct flights. "Even now charter business is way up after 9-11." About $1.4-million is needed to finish the terminal, on top of $1.9-million left in available bond money, advisory committee members say. They're trying to find the extra money, and are suggesting the city approve another city bond issue for it. So expect St. Petersburg's ancient airport debate -- one that brings up land use, politics, growth, safety, economic health and the role of the St. Petersburg Times editorial board -- to edge into another chapter. And speaking of ancient: Could Albert Whitted's terminal ever have a centennial celebration? Sea wall update: About 2,400 feet of sea wall has been installed along Coffee Pot Boulevard and more than a mile remains to go, city officials say. Part of an overall $5.35-million project along the downtown waterfront, the Coffee Pot portion is expected to be finished in September, said Tom Gibson, the city's assistant engineering director. The work eventually will extend past the Snell Isle Bridge to 18th Avenue NE. Meanwhile, the new sea wall on the south side of the Vinoy Basin still has "a couple of hundred feet to go" before completion, Gibson said a few days ago. Sea wall also is being replaced behind the Museum of History on the Pier approach, he said. And about 400 feet -- about 25 percent -- of the sea wall cap replacement in Vinoy Park is finished. Drainage: The drainage work on 14th Avenue NE near Beach Drive and North Shore Drive continues, and both drives will be closed at some points -- though not at the same time -- during the project. It's all expected to be finished in April.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks |
