Thrive
St. Pete-Clearwater Airport’s taxiway project takes off
“It benefits the airport because right now, we’re not making any money off of that land.”
Long-awaited plans for a taxiway to connect St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport with the largest piece of developable land in Pinellas County are clear for departure.
County Commissioners unanimously approved a $15.4 million construction contract Tuesday for the New Airco Taxiways Project. The planning process began over 20 years ago.
Commissioners approved the monumental step without discussion. Michele Routh, public relations director for St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), subsequently called the taxiway a “moneymaker.”
“It benefits the airport because right now, we’re not making any money off of that land,” Routh told the Catalyst. “It’s a good economic development engine for the area and for the airport.”
The 130-acre site adjacent to the county-owned airport was formerly home to a golf course. PIE decided to close the facility rather than subsidize it in 2011. Routh said it was “always meant to be a temporary use.”
Officials subsequently conducted several feasibility studies to determine the best path forward for what is now known as the Airco property. Routh said “some rezoning” occurred.
“There’s a small hotel parcel, and then the majority was going to be set aside for light industrial and commercial use,” she added. “But the priority for us has been to develop the aeronautical portion. That’s where we have more demand.”
However, only 80 acres are developable due to flooding and stormwater challenges. The airport set 30 aside for private aviation companies.
Routh explained that PIE needs a taxiway connector that provides aeronautical tenants with access to the Airco site before requesting development proposals. “That’s been in design for the last couple of years; we have money earmarked for that,” she said.
The 30 acres could house one or multiple tenants. “We don’t know what will be developed there,” Routh added. “There’s a variety of things it could be.”
She said PIE is a “self-supporting, no-debt airport,” and “every bit of revenue is important.” Routh also noted that aviation facilities are in high demand and typically foster high-wage careers.
“It’s just a lot of opportunity,” she said.
A map highlighting the Airco property. Image: Pinellas County documents.
Winter Park-based Hubbard Construction Company was the county’s “lowest responsive and responsible bidder” among five applicants. The $15.4 million contract includes $1 million in contingency funding.
The new taxiway will begin at the end of Runway 36, run northward to the intersection of Runway 4-22 and terminate at Taxiway “G.” Routh compared land adjacent to a runway to vacant beachfront property in the state’s most densely populated county.
“We work closely with Pinellas County Economic Development, because having the largest undeveloped parcel of land is a big deal,” she continued.
A lack of infrastructure, stemming from the property’s former use as a golf course, also limits development. Improvements, including roadways, septic and stormwater piping and elevating the land to current building codes, would cost around $30 million.
MarineMax proposed building a $38 million manufacturing facility at the airport’s nine-acre Turtle Club property in 2022. The company exited the deal after realizing infrastructure costs and floodplain issues impacted the project’s viability.
While hurdles remain for other developments, Routh reiterated that aviation operations are ideal for land “sitting there right next to a runway,” and the county’s economy. “It feels great not to be talking about one day – it’s happening,” she said.
The taxiway is just one of multiple significant projects underway at PIE. Routh noted the airport is “full speed ahead” on a much-anticipated terminal expansion.
“We had an over $200 million project with only $110 million in funding,” she said. “So, we had to re-scope a bit.”
Elite Air, a private aircraft and charter management company, will soon open a Jet Center at PIE. The project includes a 5,000-square-foot terminal and 60,000 square feet of hangar space for clients.
Routh said PIE has the funding needed for an approximately $45 million, 2,000-space parking garage, its first, to accommodate the airport’s explosive growth. A new surface lot will offer 350 additional spaces. “That should tie us over for a while.”
In June, PIE was on pace to serve 2.74 million passengers this year, which would shatter the previous benchmark of 2.49 million set in 2023. Routh said the airport has “broken every single monthly record since February,” and continues adding new destinations.
“So, we have some obstacles,” she said of the Airco property. “But we’re cranking along.”
Elite Air should open its Jet Center at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport in early 2026. Image: Elite Air.
Melvin Junior
November 21, 2025at10:32 am
So, she just glosses over the new ‘terminal expansion’ by saying it is “full steam ahead,” but then in the same breath says, they only have about HALF of the funding, and have to “re-scope it a bit!?” What the hell does that mean!? Were they forced to make cuts!? Will it now be smaller, and not as nice… Half the size!? Does it mean they have to completely scrap it and start-over? Have they really, even broke ground and started yet!? So, this means, they don’t have the friggin’ MONEY, after all of THIS… Talking and planning for YEARS!? What she said was SO vague. I mean, you’d think she would have been ecstatic! But, she only says “full steam ahead,” and oh yeah, by the way, we are short about HALF the $200-MILLION price tag… Uh, do what!?
Michael Bullock
November 21, 2025at9:00 am
I hope the idea of expanding the runways means PIE is not looking for another major airline to come. The noise and pollution from only having Allegiant as the sole tenant at PIE is bad enough. PLEASE, no major airline expansion into PIE.