Griffith business wants Gary to rethink ordinance

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The Gary Chicago International Airport terminal parking lot sits empty Friday July 16, 2010. | Archive~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 15, 2012 8:09AM

GARY — A Griffith business owner asked the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority to help persuade the city to rethink an ordinance that requires city entities to hire Gary businesses as long as those business’ bids are no more than 10 percent higher than the lowest bid.

Frederick Lee, president of C Lee Construction Services Inc., 1200 W. Main St., told the board during its Monday afternoon meeting that C Lee is a subcontractor for the $150 million runway expansion, the latest for which it was chosen being the $29,507.88 Illini State demolition contract. He has, however, lost out on other contracts, which he understands but questions because the ordinance which Lee’s grandfather had a part in crafting years ago, he said may support Gary businesses, but doesn’t necessarily guarantee that Gary residents will be used.

“I’m in Griffith, but I employ several people from Gary, and I know of Gary businesses who don’t employ anyone from Gary,” Lee said. “I would ask the city about the ordinance and find out what it’s intent is, because a Gary business will charge 10 percent over the lowest bid and can get the work (without employing residents).”

The board assured Lee that only a handful of contracts have fallen under the ordinance’s purview.

The Airport Authority also heard from former Airport Director Paul Karas who, on behalf of the Gary Jet Center, asked if a date had been set by the Federal Aviation Administration to fix approach lights on Runway 30 that have been malfunctioning for at least nine months. Airport Director Steve Landry said a date hasn’t been set because there’s no local funding, but the FAA is also asking for economic impact information from entities that use the airport.

Airport Engineer Ken Ross added that because the airport has yet to determine why the lights aren’t working, it doesn’t know where to spend the money.

Landry said he would approach Boeing and Allegiant once it has enough flights under its belt for economic impact data.

Karas also asked the board if the Canadian National track cut-ins have been scheduled, to which Landry and Runway Project Manager Scott Wheeler said they are expected no later than June 2013.

In runway expansion news, bids have been opened for the North grading project, and bids for the trackwork and signalization project will be opened March 14, said Project Manager Scott Wheeler. Those bids will close in March and April, respectively.