A new baseball field is slated to rise on a portion of the Sarasota‑Bradenton International Airport’s grounds, a venture that intertwines collegiate athletics with airport operations and has been years in the making.
FAA’s Conditional Green Light
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a no‑objection letter indicating that the planned foul poles would not interfere with aircraft, but the agency stressed that this does not constitute explicit approval. The letter references a February 2025 directive that any lease changes or new construction must be reviewed by the Orlando FAA office and must align with fair market value standards.
Funding for the project comes from a $1 million donation by Carlos Beruff, a prominent developer and member of the Sarasota‑Manatee Airport Authority Board, who has been a vocal supporter of the ballfield.
Lease, Market Value and Master Plan
Under the existing lease, New College occupies roughly 30 acres of airport land for its east campus at an annual rent of $108,000, a rate that officials acknowledge falls far below current market value. Because the lease extends to 2056, any modifications — including the portion of the field that spills onto airport‑owned property — must be revisited to meet FAA expectations for fair market compensation.
Peter Kirsch, an aviation attorney, noted that the February 2025 letter was advisory rather than a binding ruling, but it highlighted the need for airports to charge fair market value for non‑aeronautical uses. He warned that the FAA may become more vigilant as it shifts control over airport land, creating additional regulatory uncertainty.
John Schussler, a retired airport properties director, argued that allowing nearly half of the ballfield to sit on airport land sets a problematic precedent. He suggested the airport negotiate shorter lease terms and raise rent to align with FAA guidance.
New College President Richard Corcoran expressed confidence that the ballfield could be completed this summer, while airport President and CEO Paul Hoback assured that the project will not complicate future land use once the lease expires in 2056.
The airport’s master plan, last updated years ago, must be redrawn to reflect a tripling of air traffic. A new master plan process is slated to begin this summer and is expected to be finalized by 2028, providing a timeline for both aviation and land‑use considerations.