HR&A, the consultant firm St. Petersburg hired to evaluate the Tropicana Field redevelopment proposals have been selected to determine the best future use of the Albert Whitted Airport. The airport is 110 acres of waterfront land and the firm will discuss the long-term effects of keeping them as an airport, or if they could be better used for something else.

The study is expected to cost upwards of $75,000 and the firm is currently in a negotiation phase with the city to narrow down study details and negotiate a price. The City Council will then have to give approval due to the cost. HR&A will also need the airports masterplan in order to complete the work, which has been under works for three years and is due to the City Council by June.

One concern the city has with HR&A is their 18 week timeline, because it is somewhat aggressive the City worries they will not be able to keep up with it. The first portion of the study will look at employment, wages, construction activity and required infrastructure to assess the current and future economic impact of the airport. The city has asked for three scenarios that do not include an airport and the effect on jobs, costs and tourism, what limitations exist on the site and what funding opportunities are available.