St. Petersburg: "Keep Whitted Open!"

I just pulled this one off the St PEte Times website:

"

Election

Voters clear on airport: Keep it


Nearly three-quarters vote to preserve Albert Whitted rather than back a
proposal for a waterfront park.
By CARRIE JOHNSON, Times Staff Writer
Published November 5, 2003
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[Times photo: Lara Cerri]

Airport supporters cheer Tuesday night as election results come in.
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ST. PETERSBURG - Albert Whitted Airport, a city landmark for decades,
will have a permanent home on the changing downtown waterfront.

Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a plan to keep the airport
open and resoundingly rejected a proposal to replace it with a
waterfront park.

The City Charter amendment to keep Albert Whitted won the support of
about three out of four voters.

"We've always said this is the community's airport," said Jack Tunstill,
a leading advocate for the airport, who was surrounded by cheering fans
at Albert Whitted on Tuesday night. "This just shows the desire of the
people of St. Petersburg to keep this valuable asset."

The park proposal, created by a coalition of activists called Citizens
for a New Waterfront Park, failed to connect with residents, winning
only about 22 percent of the vote.

Fondness for the small airport and respect for its historical value were
the reasons most frequently cited by those who voted to support it.

"It's just good to have someplace like that in St. Petersburg," said
Holly Brown, 22, a University of South Florida student who voted at
Shore Acres Recreation Center. "It makes the city unique."

Others said they feared waterfront condo development if Albert Whitted
was destroyed.

"I think we have enough condos," said Gene Wolk, who has lived in St.
Petersburg since 1968. "I think the way downtown has changed is
wonderful, and I support what they have done with the condos along Beach
Drive. But that should be enough."

Mayor Rick Baker, who announced his intention to vote "no" on all three
ballot questions to give residents more time to discuss the best use for
the airport property, said the results didn't rule out his compromise to
close one of the airport's runways and sell dozens of acres for
development. The plan is under review by the Federal Aviation
Administration.

"I think there's plenty of room for discussion for what the airport
should be," Baker said Tuesday night. "And I think all interested
parties need to be involved in that discussion."
"

It just goes to show that the real estate goons never give up!

Congratulations to AOPA and to all the individuals who gave their
time, efforts, and money to fight this good fight!!

.. . . unfortunately, it sounds like there may be a second round
coming up.

Gerry

Orval Fairbairn wrote in message I just pulled this one off the St PEte
Times website: Nearly three-quarters vote to preserve Albert Whitted rather
than back a
proposal for a waterfront park.

That's the best news I've had in a long time. Now we go about replacing
Mayor Baker!

D. (Is Daley taking notice?)