A new way to keep watch? SRQ airport wants to build observation deck for plane fans
The big sweeping curve that 301 Boulevard East makes on the east side of Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has long been a favorite spot for motorists to pull off the highway to watch aircraft land and take off.
It’s a no-frills place that’s bumpy and unpaved. Yet, there are always cars and trucks parked there. Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of the airport, counted 14 at one time on Tuesday.
That viewing area may be coming in for a nice upgrade, at a time when air traffic at SRQ is ratcheting up sharply, giving plane spotters a lot more to watch.
In a joint concept project with Manatee County government, the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority is considering adding a covered observation deck there with paved parking and landscaping.
Monday, Piccolo briefed the authority on the project and showed them a rendering by Fawley Bryant Architecture of what the observation deck could look like.
“We are still working on getting agreement on cost and final design,” Piccolo said in a text when asked about a possible construction time frame.
“This preliminary design was a cost share with Manatee County so at least a year would be my guess once we come to agreement,” Piccolo said.
Monday, members of the airport authority approved the final draft of the airport master plan, which is designed to help SRQ keep pace with fast-growing passenger traffic. One study shows the airport will soon be the nation’s fast growing.
Over the next five years, SRQ is expected to experience 72.6 percent growth, which would make it the fastest-growing airport in the United States.
Work is now underway to expand the airport fuel farm to increase capacity to 290,000 gallons to serve the new flights. Plans are also being made for the addition of a concourse to help handle the airport’s growing business.
This story was originally published March 23, 2021 at 2:51 PM.
