Airport's flight plan ready for takeoff

By AARON SHAROCKMAN, Times Staff Writer
Published August 23, 2007

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ST. PETERSBURG - The future of Albert Whitted Airport, the subject of great controversy in 2003, is expected to be finalized today to near universal accord.

Gone from the plan is any talk of turning one of the airport's two runways into park space, or condominiums. A referendum four years ago ended that discussion.

Instead, the strategy for the airport's next 16 years calls for modest growth, a slightly shortened runway and additional hangar space.

The plan for the airport is detailed in a 200-plus-page report that bears no resemblance to anything that can be perceived as controversial.

In fact, the biggest debate over the last year centered around how to make the airport's alternate runway safer.

City officials wanted to add about 300 feet to the runway by dredging out into Tampa Bay. The Federal Aviation Administration said the city could shorten the landing area for planes 300 feet and leave the extra space as a buffer.

The FAA's way will save about $4.6-million. That idea won.

Still, the plan calls for maintenance and capital improvements of at least $35-million between now and 2024. Because of generous FAA grants, the city might be on the hook for about only $2-million over the next 16 years.

The City Council is expected to sign off on the master plan today.

Aaron Sharockman can be reached at 727 892-2273 or asharockman@sptimes.com.

On the web

See it for yourself

View the 200-page plan for Albert Whitted Airport at http://spgmasterplan.com.