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12/24/07 Albert Whitted Airport New Intermodal Terminal Dedication
On December 17, 2007,
Mayor Rick Baker, elected officials, and members of the local aviation
community dedicated the new Albert Whitted Intermodal General Aviation
Terminal, located at 504 First Street SE in St. Petersburg.
The intermodal
terminal is a two-story, 10,600 square foot general aviation center
featuring a 64 space landside parking lot and a 12,200 square yard aircraft
parking ramp. The project began in April 2006 and, thanks to the generous
support of the Galbraith family, the terminal’s Certificate of Occupancy
was issued in October 2007.
“St. Petersburg, as the birthplace of the world’s first commercial airline, has a
long and historic tradition with the world of aviation.” said Mayor
Baker. “Today, with the dedication of this beautiful new terminal, we
look to the future of air transportation in our city.”
The construction of a
terminal services center at the historic Albert Whitted Airport has been in discussion for years, to fully capture the opportunities the facility could
offer to the city and community residents. “We are finally proud to
have a world-class terminal to call home and as an entryway to welcome
visitors to our great city.” expressed James Bennett, City of St. Petersburg’s Council Chair.
The public voted to
save the airport in 2003 via a city referendum. The Airport Blue Ribbon
Advisory Task Force was formed to provide public input to the redevelopment
project by Major Baker and City Council, thus reviving the citywide effort.
“The public voted by a majority of 73% to save the historic facility
and charged the city with making improvements for an airport we could all
be proud of. In turn, we have a public facility for all to enjoy for
a long time to come.” expressed Jack Tunstill, Chairman Albert
Whitted Airport Advisory Committee.
The ground floor
space has been completed with FBO service by St. Petersburg Flying Service
already open, in addition to a pilot’s rest and lounge facility. An Avis Rental Car Center is expected to open around February 1, 2008. The second
floor space is expected to be leased to a restaurant affiliate which will
serve breakfast, lunch and dinner menu items. A plaque honoring those
involved in the redevelopment project will be proudly displayed in the
ground floor of the intermodal terminal.
To learn more about Albert Whitted Airport’s facilities and services, please visit them online at www.StPete.org/airport.
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