Testing Grounds The latest industry being outsourced to India is clinical drug trials. And any number of tragic things can happen on the way to your medicine cabinet.
Friday Night Rewind It doesn't matter which team you cheer for. We've got video previews of every high school football program in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County.
It's years away, but Airco Golf Course could become a part of Pinellas history after nearly a half-century in existence.
On Tuesday, the County Commission agreed to explore closing the course and dividing its 129 acres up for aviation, office, industrial and hotel use.
The commission's decision was based on a consultant's feasibility study for the course, which is part of St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and sits on Old Tampa Bay.
The study suggests limiting the intensity of the project to avoid additional levels of review by state regulators.
What's proposed would reserve 25 acres for aviation use and dedicate 78 acres for two hotels and a mix of office and industrial buildings that would help satisfy the county's long-range economic development needs. The remaining land is unsuitable for development.
The data used for the study were collected well before the current market collapse, and even the consultant suggested additional research. Plus, several hurdles must be met before final decisions are made and work on the site commences.
With so much uncertainty, County Commissioner Ronnie Duncan cautioned against alarming the public by prematurely suggesting that the consultant's plan is a blueprint for future development.
"We have some potential to do great things with this property," Duncan said. "We also have the potential to have a big train wreck at the end of the day."
The surrounding road network is not up to the task of handling development on the site. Commissioners agreed that key road projects, such as a connector between Bayside Bridge and 118th Avenue and a limited access highway linking U.S. 19 and Interstate 275 along 118th Avenue, need to be in place before the development is completed.
In a best-case scenario, the limited access highway would not be finished until 2012 or 2013. The state hasn't even set money aside for the Bayside Bridge connector.
Then there's the Federal Aviation Administration. Airport director Noah Lagos said he had met with FAA officials who are asking whether an environmental study of the site is warranted. Also, Lagos said the federal agency may not be satisfied with just 25 acres being reserved for aviation.
"That's going to be a future point of discussion," he said.
The county owns the airport, which in turn owns and operates the golf course, which was built in 1961.
Though they agreed to move forward with the concept of developing Airco, commissioners stressed the need to move deliberately and with a high degree of public participation.
That's what Michael Schlensker, a retiree who lives in nearby Feather Sound, expects.
Schlensker said the neighborhood has concerns about traffic, increased noise and maintaining a suitable buffer between any development and the community.
"We're participants in this and would like more participation," he said. "Feather Sound wants to be involved."
Will Van Sant can be reached at vansant@sptimes.com or 445-4166.
By the numbers
129 acres make up the current Airco Golf Course.
25 acres would be set aside for aviation use under the proposed plan.
78 acres would be dedicated for two hotels and a mix of office and industrial buildings.
26 acres are unsuitable for development.
[Last modified: Oct 30, 2008 02:51 PM]
Comments on this article
by Mike
Oct 30, 2008 2:51 PM
That area is saturated with development & hotels. The airport there is a joke and an ego boost to the County Commission. Make the course a public county run facility. Model it after Mangrove Bay which works well. Do not close it to add more asphalt.
by Todd
Oct 30, 2008 2:17 PM
AFFORDABLE HOUSING with preference to teachers, police officers, firefighters & other government employees!!! How hard is it to realize what the best use would be??? That will be $100,000 for my services please.... Local government are such suckers!
by by Neil
Oct 29, 2008 10:21 PM
We need more 3/4 empty hotels, more completely empty office buildings. What happened to affordable housing. Perfect location already suggested right across street. County funds a Natural Aging facility in the exact spot suggested. Help Ken Welch!
by Rick
Oct 29, 2008 10:19 PM
Mr. Duncan stop with the spin already. The Limited Highway Connector won't start till 2011
if money available. Won't be finished till 2018 or later.
Per DOT Traffic Engineer Greg Thompson,
5-28-08 Access Control Meeting. Lies,Lies and more Lies!
by Matt
Oct 29, 2008 10:00 PM
Seems like it would be a great place for a Baseball Stadium. Easy access from everywhere, an airport to fly in and out of, area hotels and restaurants, and plenty of land to have sufficient parking. Maybe someone can tell the committee!!!
by Steve
Oct 29, 2008 9:56 PM
I live in Feather Sound and I'm against this development. Does the county want to drive our real estate values down even more? Hint: That's the basis for your tax revenue. Pay attention to the hand that feeds you before chasing after some corp. $$$.
by JB
Oct 29, 2008 9:50 PM
More empty office buildings. What a waste. Why not convert the golf course into a teaching, instructional golf camp for kids ? Practice areas, not only driving ranges but sand traps, chipping areas, enlarge current practice green.
Subscribe to the Times
Click here for daily delivery
of the St. Petersburg Times.
News
