Opinion: Residents' opinion on airport

Something important has changed in the debate over the future of Albert Whitted Airport in downtown St. Petersburg. The residents of the city are beginning to speak out, and they are not happy with the way the City Council has excluded them.

The Council of Neighborhood Associations, with 58 member organizations, has adopted a resolution asking that any decision on the airport be put to a vote of residents. And CONA is opposed to the so-called master plan for the airport, which would extend the east-west runway 1,000 feet into Tampa Bay, erect metal hangars on the waterfront and cost city taxpayers millions of dollars.

"We're under the impression that (council members) can't commit long-term to a project unless they come to city residents for a referendum," said Brent Fisher, CONA president.

Top officials at the University of South Florida have spoken up, as well. The board that oversees the USF St. Petersburg campus issued a statement of formal support for Mayor Rick Baker's compromise proposal for Albert Whitted. Baker would close down the east-west runway, which would free up land for a waterfront park and inland development on the west end of the property near the USF campus. Without building-height restrictions linked to the east-west runway, USF would be free to meets its growing needs.

"The mayor's airport proposal promises to help the campus significantly," said Ralph Wilcox, USF St. Petersburg's interim vice president. "Closing the east-west runway and changing the flight path will alleviate community safety concerns as planes currently fly very low over the campus and neighboring properties."

USF president Judy Genshaft showed she is paying attention to the situation, too, promoting Baker's proposal as the one that "can most positively impact our campus' ability to better serve the diverse needs of the community." And campus board chair Ann Duncan signed on, noting that the campus is "a major economic engine for the city and region."

That makes it even more inexplicable that the City Council is in such a hurry to boost the misguided airport master plan. The council scheduled a meeting for Jan. 30, at which it could make a final decision on Albert Whitted. Mayor Baker asked for more time to prove that his plan can work, but the council refused to cooperate.

The message being sent by city residents to the council should be received loud and clear. The people want more information and more input on the future of Albert Whitted Airport. They want a compromise such as Baker's that will let the city move forward without damaging the public waterfront, USF St. Petersburg and the city's quality of life. They want to be included in this decision.

Is St. Petersburg's City Council listening?

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