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ETA set for new terminal at Albert Whitted Airport
Officials look to open the two-story structure asearly as next month once negotiations are resolved with the key tenant.
By CRISTINA SILVA, Times Staff Writer
Published October 14, 2007
ST. PETERSBURG- The recently constructed terminal at Albert Whitted Municipal Airport could be open as early as next month, city officials said. The terminal, designed to attract new business to the airport, long considered an elite playground funded by taxpayers, will eventually feature a car rental company, a restaurant, and aircraft vendors. City officials have been negotiating the terms of the lease since May with vendor Bay Air Flying Service, a company that already leases space at the airport and is slated to enter into a five-year agreement with the city that would allow it to manage the first floor of the two-floor terminal. "We just have been back and forth on a number of items," said Richard Lesniak, airport manager. "We hope to have the final lease before the City Council for approval on Oct. 18." Once the lease is approved, Bay Air can begin managing the facility at anytime, Lesniak said. The terminal has been vacant since construction ended in August. Longtime airport supporters said they are thrilled the city is finally on the cusp of resolving the lease. After six months of negotiations, many feared the terminal would never open. "It's bureaucratic slowness," said Jack Tunstill, chairman of the Albert Whitted Advisory Committee, and a flight instructor at the airport. "You've got a facility sitting here that is not generating revenue, and we keep telling everyone that the airport ought to generate revenue and not be a burden on the city of St. Petersburg." Regardless whether the negotiations are finalized or not, city officials said the terminal will be open to the public during the annual St. Petersburg AirFest, Oct. 19-21 at the airport. Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.
[Last modified October 13, 2007, 22:06:34]
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by Derrick
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10/19/07 01:53 PM
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I took my first flight in a plane as a kid from that airport, and worked years at high school grocery store job to pay for flying lessons at "the elite playground". What I learned there still serves me in the USAF piloting in the skies of Iraq.
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by Dave
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10/16/07 04:49 PM
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I offer that to the comment "elite playground funded by taxpayers" indicates ignorance on the part of the newspaper. I fly into this airport three to five times a month and spend hard earned dollars in St Petersburg; I utilize public transportation.
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by John
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10/16/07 08:20 AM
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I'am not rich so the airport is just a play ground for the elite to show off who has more money. I will never being using that facility, a long with the other 95% of people in St. Petersburg
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by Bonnie
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10/15/07 11:54 AM
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It would be nice if the St. Petersburg Times could get over its sour grapes attitude toward the airport, the voters chose to keep the airport open. Snide comments such as "long considered an elite playground funded by taxpayers" are unnecessary.
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by Jay
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10/14/07 04:19 PM
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The new fcility will enhance the downtown area. There will be more traffic at the airport which means more revenue for the city. "elite playground" is a cheap shot and sour grapes. This is a big win for the city, but apparently not for the paper.
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by Steve
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10/14/07 01:35 PM
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"Long considered an elite playground funded by taxpayers" is the long held political position of the Times. 78% of the voters knew & voted differently. The Times is repetitiously wrong, again. Get over it, you lost! (add 1,000 ft. of runway, oh yea!)
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by Dan
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10/14/07 12:46 PM
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Great, next we need an extra 1000 ft of runway for runway 6/24. This airport is part of what gives St. Pete its character. It brings income into the city not just to the airport. With a slightly longer runway a lot more business aircraft would use it
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by John
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10/14/07 10:27 AM
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Not unexpectedly, you continue to take shots at the airport. Instead of presenting it as something that we citizens should be proud of, generating income (NASCAR, attracting business and development) you offer "considered an elite playground". SHAME
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