Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Plan for county to help airport expand won't fly

The idea of Pasco County becoming involved in the airport business is circling yet again.

This time, Commissioner Jack Mariano is advocating land use changes to assist the airport at Pilot Country Estates, northeast of the U.S. 41 and State Road 52 intersection.

Specifically, Mariano says the airport is floundering, in part, because of its inability to expand and attract business clients. Future land use maps show adjoining property categorized for agriculture use or residential development of up to three homes per acre. As part of a discussion of the county's long-range transportation needs Tuesday, Mariano urged commissioners to study the benefits of a healthy airport in central Pasco he said could be tied to changing the land use plan to encourage industrial development.

"It can't thrive," Mariano said. "If we're going to bring in business, that's a pretty key point there."

Fortunately, commissioners grounded his flighty plan. Steve Simon categorized it as a private industry subsidy because the county would absorb the cost of any authorized study.

"I don't think that's a doable situation for this county," agreed Commissioner Ann Hildebrand.

Both are correct. Mariano's penchant for business development is no secret, but in this instance he's taking his idea down a well-traveled runway.

In 1987, the state Department of Transportation asked Pasco County to consider getting into the airport business. Acquire what was then known as the West Pasco Airport (later called the the Tampa Bay Executive Airport) or start your own elsewhere, the state suggested, to relieve expected air traffic congestion at Tampa International Airport.

There was little enthusiasm on the county's part because of anticipated costs. A state-financed study indicated more than 600 acres would be needed and the county never moved beyond that point.

The idea was resurrected after the Tampa Bay Executive Airport announced its plans to close last year. Again, the unsuccessful plea from then-Commissioner Peter Altman focused on economic development.

Even Mariano acknowledged Tuesday that closing the airport didn't hurt industrial recruiting. On the contrary, a new business and office park is planned for the site of the former airport at State Road 54 and Trinity Boulevard.

Besides, a publicly owned airport with adjoining industrial park already exists in Zephyrhills.

We also would remind Mariano of the county's economic development strengths: easy access to Tampa and the transportation outlets there - the port and international airport, open land, an eager government, a pair of multilaned north-south highways, a nearby state university and a work force that would need training but wouldn't command wages as high as Florida's metropolitan centers.

Helping to finance a smaller, privately owned airport's attempts to succeed isn't going to alter that list of attributes.

[Last modified November 10, 2005, 01:21:17]