Related Ross cleared another hurdle in its plans for an electric air-taxi stop in downtown West Palm Beach.
The city voted Monday to allow a vertistop on top of the CityPlace Hibiscus garage, Bisnow reported. The emerging tech accommodates electric vertical takeoff and landing aircrafts, or eVTOLs, that could carry four passengers and a pilot across short distances.
The technology is advancing across the state as Florida’s first test flight took place in Tampa last month, with more scheduled through this month. Florida was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as one of a handful of states to pilot-test the vehicles, which are often called flying Ubers.
The vehicles are not yet cleared for commercial use, and no flight demonstrations have been scheduled for South Florida.
Some residents spoke in support of the project Monday, while others worried the vehicles could cause noise disturbances or interrupt established flight patterns.
Studies show eVTOLs produce a noise slightly quieter than city ambient sound while flying, and slightly above ambient noise while taking off, a representative of Related Ross told the city. The vertistop would not support gas-powered vehicles, such as helicopters.
The project still requires city site-plan approval and FAA approval before the vehicles take off.
Proponents of the tech say they could alleviate some of West Palm’s traffic gridlock and propel the city into the future of transportation.
Related Ross last year announced plans to partner with San Jose-based Archer Aviation on a network of air taxi stops in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, aiming to connect business hubs and airports. West Palm’s stop would eventually support several eVTOL operators, company representatives previously told the city.
The plan includes vertiports at Hard Rock Stadium, owned by Ross and his Miami Dolphins, and Dragon Global’s Magic City Innovation District in Little Haiti.
Monday’s unanimous approval by the city commission follows a previous thumbs-up from the city’s planning board in September.
— Alissa Gary
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