The SMAA figure above shows that about half (3 acres) of the baseball field will be on SRQ Airport land leased to New College (outlined in red) and about half of the baseball field will be on New College (state of Florida) owned land.

 

Summary

 

• New College announced that construction of its baseball field is underway and expected to be completed by September 2026.

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• The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority confirms that former Airport President Rick Piccolo approved a Tenant Construction Permit on April 8, 2025, authorizing construction on leased airport property.

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• The Airport Authority explained that no separate notice to proceed is required once the Tenant Construction Permit is approved and all other governmental approvals have been obtained.

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• The FAA issued its FAA Form 7460 determination, removing the final significant federal obstacle to construction.

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• The Airport Authority confirmed that no discussions occurred concerning the author’s proposed negotiated settlement.

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• The Airport Authority states that it will complete its Airport Master Plan update before determining what actions are in its best interest regarding the future of the leased airport property.

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• I have internal airport authority documents, received by public records requests, to support the statements above.

 

Significance

 

This development confirms that construction of the baseball field is proceeding while long-term decisions concerning the leased airport land have been deferred until completion of the Airport Master Plan. The SMAA has voluntarily created an impediment to ever recovering 3 acres of its own land for airport uses, regardless of what the Airport Master Plan recommends.