Recent reports have noted that a new state grant would prevent St. Petersburg from redeveloping Albert Whitted Airport for at least 20 years. That is an annual occurrence.
The city accepted a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant in 2024 that also required the facility to remain an airport for 20 years. City council members unanimously approved accepting $134,800 Thursday from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to help fund a $1.7 million project that will storm-harden an electrical vault, elevate upgraded equipment and add an emergency generator.
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Mayor Ken Welch previously wanted to explore the 119-acre property’s economic impact and non-aviation uses. However, he has “never supported” a high-density development.
“I’ve seen some mock-ups that basically have another downtown on Albert Whitted,” Welch told the Catalyst. “I don’t want anyone to think that’s what I support.”
A runway extension?
In October 2024, a city evaluation committee selected four companies to provide consultation and design services on several projects at the city-owned facility, including a potential runway extension. A firm’s success in securing grants was an oft-discussed topic at the meeting.
The committee also frequently considered the applicants’ ability to oversee a runway extension into Tampa Bay. Those plans are still on the table.
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg is adjacent to Albert Whitted. Like most former and current students, Welch expressed concern about how low planes must fly over the campus to land at the airport.
“One of the ways to get those flights higher would be a runway extension,” he added. “It’s ironic that I could perhaps end up supporting that, but it’s expensive.”
A longer runway would accommodate larger non-commercial aircraft. It would also allow for taller buildings around the airport. The USFSP campus continues expanding; the Maritime and Defense Technology Hub plans to build a sister facility and the city could redevelop Port St. Petersburg.
“So, yeah, you have to take an honest look at that,” Welch said.
Community benefits
Since his first month in office, Welch has sought to increase the city-owned waterfront facility’s community impact. The nonprofit Friends of Albert Whitted Airport subsequently established a scholarship for youth interested in aviation careers.
In November 2023, city council members rejected allocating $300,000 to an economic impact study. They dedicated the money to an urban tree-planting initiative.
City officials later identified Albert Whitted as an ideal location for a vertiport, similar to a helipad, to accommodate electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) and other advanced air mobility efforts. Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated the area two months later.
“We had a lot of conversations with our emergency management folks in the city and county about what role Albert Whitted would play in disaster recovery if we were to lose two bridges, which is a scenario,” Welch said. “And then, providentially, after Milton, the President flew in on Marine One. We toured the county and were able to land at Albert Whitted – not just with his helicopter, but with several Ospreys (aircraft) that had staff and press on them.
“So, that was kind of a proof of concept of what it could be post-disaster.”
In January, Welch appointed former Councilmember Ed Montanari, a pilot and staunch airport supporter, to represent his administration on the city’s inaugural Advanced Air Mobility Task Force. He believes air taxis could increase accessibility throughout the region.
The city council approved a $1.2 million contract Jan. 9 to demolish and remove storm-damaged hangars. Officials must still rebuild those structures.
Welch declared April 5 Friends of Albert Whitted Scholarship Day after the organization distributed 29 scholarships totaling $184,000. He said administrators would still explore ways to increase the airport’s community impact, potentially through an apprenticeship program like the Mayor’s Future Ready Academy.
Welch noted that the city could repay grant funding and negate the 20-year restriction, which begins after acceptance. “That was never my priority coming in, and if we’re going to spend resources and time, it’s not going to be on something like that,” he said.
