A Times Editorial

Don't rush a decision on airport

Planted amid the political yard signs in St. Petersburg's wealthy neighborhoods are placards for another campaign, one to "Support Albert Whitted Airport." By "support," airport backers mean "prop up with more tax dollars." Even though Albert Whitted is already a financial drain on the city, its most zealous proponents want the city to pour more money into a facility that serves a small number of privileged residents.

The group has a handy cheerleader on the City Council, James Bennett. He's ready and willing to rush any decision on the airport before all the facts are in, probably because the facts don't cast Albert Whitted in a very flattering light. Bennett has called for a special council meeting on Nov. 12, when, he hopes, the members will embrace a plan that would sink millions of dollars more into the airport. Bennett would have the council reject any idea of using some of the land for a public waterfront park or economic development project.

Council members would be letting city residents down, however, if they hurried a decision on the airport. Instead of pushing a half-baked plan, council members should give Mayor Rick Baker a little more time to make a recommendation.

Baker has brought a refreshing, business-like approach to Albert Whitted. He asked his economic development department to investigate other potential uses for the 110 acres of prime waterfront land the airport sits on. The result was a report that should be appealing to the vast majority of St. Petersburg residents.

By developing some of the interior portions of the property, mainly with attractive housing, the city could afford to return much of the waterfront to the public as expanded park land. That way, city taxpayers would not only be able to enjoy their property, but also be relieved of some of their tax burden. While the proposal lacks detail at this point, it is worthy of discussion. But opening the debate over Albert Whitted to the public is the last thing airport supporters want.

With good reason. Financially, the airport is a leaky bucket. The airport's proposed 2003 budget lists an operating loss of $277,000, and that shortfall would be greater if city residents and utility customers weren't forced to shell out $175,000 in rent to the airport for the sewer plant and Bayfront Center. While St. Petersburg taxpayers are already picking up that tab, the small fraternity of pilots who use the airport now want the city to buy them a new, multimillion dollar clubhouse. (They euphemistically call it a terminal.) This comes at a time when the city had to eliminate 70 positions to balance the budget and when it needs scarce tax dollars for greater needs, such as bolstering its Police Department.

Instead of ramming though a decision on Albert Whitted before all the facts are in, the St. Petersburg City Council should await a recommendation from Baker and invite the public into the debate. It is, after all, the public's land, and it is the public's money that council members will be spending on any ill-conceived bailout for Albert Whitted.

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