Runway into bay at Albert Whitted? Not likely
That was one recommendation by a consultant. More options may be forthcoming.
By JON WILSON
?¿½ St. Petersburg Times, published October 15, 2000
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ST. PETERSBURG -- The committee looking at Albert Whitted Airport's future isn't likely to recommend runway extensions into Tampa Bay.
An extension of up to 1,720 feet into Tampa Bay would produce a 5,350-foot runway, big enough to handle business jets. That was one of the concepts a consultant presented to the committee a few weeks ago.
But the idea didn't fly with every committee member, airport director M.O. Burgess said last week.
''There was some concern raised by several individuals,'' Burgess said.
More discussion with the consultant, LPA Group of Orlando, is scheduled and more options may be forthcoming. A public meeting about the airport probably will be scheduled before Thanksgiving, said Burgess. The City Council will have a chance to contemplate any recommendations.
The consultant originally presented four concepts, including several that discussed runway extensions and one that focused on a ''no-build solution'' that would make almost no changes at the airport.
A 5,350-foot runway is ''possible but not realistic,'' Burgess said. For one thing, it would require giving up a taxiway, ''giving up land for the existing facility,'' Burgess said.
''We have very limited area in which to do that,'' Burgess said.
Albert Whitted is about 17 acres.
As is, it has an economic impact of about $25-million yearly in goods, services and salaries, Burgess said.
''I don't know the public as a whole really has an appreciation of what the airport is to the community,'' he said.
That was one recommendation by a consultant. More options may be forthcoming.
By JON WILSON
?¿½ St. Petersburg Times, published October 15, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ST. PETERSBURG -- The committee looking at Albert Whitted Airport's future isn't likely to recommend runway extensions into Tampa Bay.
An extension of up to 1,720 feet into Tampa Bay would produce a 5,350-foot runway, big enough to handle business jets. That was one of the concepts a consultant presented to the committee a few weeks ago.
But the idea didn't fly with every committee member, airport director M.O. Burgess said last week.
''There was some concern raised by several individuals,'' Burgess said.
More discussion with the consultant, LPA Group of Orlando, is scheduled and more options may be forthcoming. A public meeting about the airport probably will be scheduled before Thanksgiving, said Burgess. The City Council will have a chance to contemplate any recommendations.
The consultant originally presented four concepts, including several that discussed runway extensions and one that focused on a ''no-build solution'' that would make almost no changes at the airport.
A 5,350-foot runway is ''possible but not realistic,'' Burgess said. For one thing, it would require giving up a taxiway, ''giving up land for the existing facility,'' Burgess said.
''We have very limited area in which to do that,'' Burgess said.
Albert Whitted is about 17 acres.
As is, it has an economic impact of about $25-million yearly in goods, services and salaries, Burgess said.
''I don't know the public as a whole really has an appreciation of what the airport is to the community,'' he said.
