This Time, It’s In The Everglades

Yet another airport’s fate hangs in the balance, the victim of financial woes and inter-jurisdictional disputes. This time, it’s the Everglades City (FL) Airpark.

WINK Television in Fort Myers (FL) reports the Collier County Airport Authority is in financial hot water. The authority reportedly owes the county itself $10 million. Since the Everglades City Airpark isn’t making a profit (and what airport is these days?), the authority is looking at ways to improve the bottom line. On the list of potential cost-cutting targets is the airpark.

"What I would like to see is that we can remove this fear,” says County Commissioner Jim Coletta. “Not only this time, but for years to come by taking the airport and giving it back."

In other words, Coletta and others in county government want to see the airport authority give the airpark back to Everglades City.

"If the county does intend to close it, then they should hand it over to the city," says Everglades City councilman James Landrum.

Another Collier County Commissioner, Jim Mudd, says there are no plans to shut down the airpark – right now. He wants the county to conduct an impact study on the issue. Ideally, he suggests the airpark be self-supporting, without the use of tax dollars.

FMI: www.co.collier.fl.us