Pinellas Weighs Future of Airport

CLEARWATER - What if St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport razed its passenger terminal and built a brand new one? Or what if the airport got out of the passenger airline business and became a general aviation airport, along with its U.S. Coast Guard rescue mission?

Perhaps the airport should follow a modest pay-as-you go renovation plan that would cost an estimated $9.5 million for a first phase of improvements, including the airport's first two passenger loading bridges by 2010.

Those were among the topics of discussion Thursday at a Pinellas County Commission workshop that focused on the future of the airport, which expects to handle 700,000 passengers this year, compared with 20 million at Tampa International Airport.

Noah Lagos, the director of the county-owned airport, likened the commercial terminal built in 1956 to something out of the "This Old House" TV program, requiring improvements to keep pace with passenger convenience.

The LPA Group, a South Carolina-based aviation consultant, which developed a plan for the county-owned airport, envisions an estimated $36 million in improvements beyond the proposed $9.5 million first phase.

County Commissioner Bob Stewart placed the proposals in perspective by asking hypothetically what would happen if the airport got out of the airline business. Lagos said it simply would become a general aviation facility.

Stewart also asked whether the officials considered razing the terminal and building a new one. Lagos said that would cost more than $300 million and the airport could not remain debt free.

The next step: Airport officials must take construction bids to the county commission for review and approval.

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