Rick Piccolo News Today

Rick Piccolo sends documents to the Federal Aviation Administration that prove it knew of and approved the lease of 31 acres it now wants to sell to New College of Florida.

Sheltair is building a terminal and hangars at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

The development by Sheltair, a privately owned aviation company, will provide prime space for various aviation businesses and leisure travelers alike.

The airport is growing fast, tripling traffic in the last several years. And New College of Florida is also trying to expand. The deal aimed to satisfy both, but was nixed by federal aviation authorities.

The agency said valuation comparables and planned land use run contrary to the grant assurances required of civil aviation operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration nixes the $11.5 million deal for 31 acres of the West Campus that the college leases from the airport.

Before the college can purchase the 31 acres for $11.5 million, the sale must be approved by the FAA and funded by the state.

With regulatory hurdles remaining, closing the deal on the 31 acres New College rents from SRQ airport remains months away.

The new service to Plattsburgh, New York, will begin in June.

The flights to Pittsburgh are set to begin June 12 with introductory one-way fares as low as $79.