The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority opened a new observation area at 8330 15th St. E., Sarasota, on Wednesday, March 12. Workers finish up last-minute preparations on Tuesday, March 11.
Tiffany Tompkins
ttompkins@bradenton.com
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport’s popular plane-spotting area has rolled out a new look with a shaded observation deck.
The $2.3 million project, which was announced in March 2024, was built along an unpaved area near the airport. The project, which made its debut this week, was a joint venture between land owner Manatee County and the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority.
The 825-square-foot SRQ Observation Deck also features a speaker system for plane watchers to hear air traffic communications.
A paved parking lot has 27 spaces, and there’s an aviation-themed playground sponsored by Allegiant Air.
“We would look out there and see all the people behind the fence watching the planes and wondered how we could enhance it and make it a nicer experience,” airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo previously told the Herald.
The county and airport authority began planning the project in 2021. The area has long beena favorite place for plane watchers to park their cars and trucks. But before the improvements, the space was just grass and dirt next to the airport fence line.
Airport leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to unveil the new observation deck.
The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority is having a ribbon-cutting for their new observation area at 8330 15th Street East, Sarasota, on March 12. Workers finish up last minute preparations on March 11. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority is having a ribbon-cutting for their new observation area at 8330 15th Street East, Sarasota, on March 12. Workers finish up last minute preparations on March 11. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority is having a ribbon-cutting for their new observation area at 8330 15th Street East, Sarasota, on March 12. Workers finish up last minute preparations on March 11. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority opened a new observation area at 8330 15th St. E., Sarasota, on Wednesday, March 12. Workers finish up last-minute preparations on Tuesday, March 11. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority opened a new observation area at 8330 15th St. E., Sarasota, on Wednesday, March 12. Workers finish up last-minute preparations on Tuesday, March 11. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority opened a new observation area at 8330 15th St. E., Sarasota, on Wednesday, March 12. Workers finish up last-minute preparations on Tuesday, March 11. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority opened a new observation area at 8330 15th St. E., Sarasota, on Wednesday, March 12. Workers finish up last-minute preparations on Tuesday, March 11. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority opened a new observation area at 8330 15th St. E., Sarasota, on Wednesday, March 12. Workers finish up last-minute preparations on Tuesday, March 11. Tiffany Tompkins ttompkins@bradenton.com
Jason Dill is a sports reporter for the Bradenton Herald. He’s won Florida Press Club awards since joining in 2010. He currently covers restaurant, development and other business stories for the Herald.
