Why doesnt the city move the airport and convert the property to a public park?
The City had examined relocating the airport in the past but determined that it was economically unfeasible. The FAA has advised that the City would be responsible for building a new airport in the local area before the existing airport could be closed. Current city officials have passed a resolution opposing any relocation of the airport because of the possibility that those lands would have to be intensely developed in order to fund any new airport. With recent joint planning agreements between Venice and Sarasota County, there are no longer any large land areas sufficient in size within south Sarasota County on which to move the airport. The city has purchased lands from the airport in the past to ensure that all areas west of Harbor Drive and along the beach will remain as public parks and open space for the future. Under the terms of the city codes and charter, only a public referendum could allow for the change of those parks for any other uses.