SRQ airport opens new observation area facility

Aviation enthusiasts and plane spotters now have a new, safe place to enjoy watching air traffic take off and land at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. 

As private aircraft taxied just 50 yards away and commercial airliners boomed down the runway, airport officials made brief remarks before cutting the ribbon on the new observation area at 8330 15th St. E., formerly a small gravel parking area next to Atlantic Aviation. 

The spot has for years been a favored location for watching the comings and goings of aircraft at SRQ. What began as a plan to pave and secure the spot grew into a project that opened with a wing-shaped shade structure, an aviation-themed playground, striped parking spaces and an audio system that broadcasts control tower communications with aircraft.

Photo by Andrew Warfield

Photo by Andrew Warfield

“We started talking with Manatee County and the Brandon Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, because this is in Manatee County, and decided we can make this much better project,” said SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo. “It grew from about a half-million-dollar project to a two-and-a-half million dollar project.”

The airport and Manatee County equally funded the total cost, which came in at $2.36 million.

Part airport museum, the project includes story boards that trace the history of the airport. Near the parking area is the former control tower beacon and a commemorative marker located just 500 yards from where Air Force One parked as President George W. Bush was visiting Booker Elementary School on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

Workers installed guard rails to protect the space from passing traffic.

“This is an exciting project for me to see come to life,” said Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Board Chairman Jesse Biter. “I’ve been coming here for years, and to see this turn from what it was to what it is now is just super exciting for the community.”

Photo by Andrew Warfield

The observation area opening is the latest in a series of completed projects at SRQ as Piccolo approaches the end of his 30-year tenure this summer with his impending retirement. It comes on the heels of the recent completion of a new baggage handing system, the opening of the new Concourse A and ongoing improvements in the main terminal area and in Concourse B.

“With all the times I give speeches and I show all the projects — $100 million for the terminal and 50 million for a baggage system, $10 million cell phone lot, $10 million here and there — this $2 million project gets the most oohs and ahhs of all of them. I think the public really is going to like this and the partnership with Allegiant to add the playground is a really great thing.”

The project architect is Sweet Sparkman of Sarasota. The contractor is Stellar Development.