The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority has approved a $3.42 million contract for construction of a new 39,000 square-foot metal hangar on the airport’s east end.
Pangere Corp., of Gary, received the contract during Wednesday’s meeting.
Executive director Dan Vicari said just two bids were received with Pangere’s the lowest.
The hangar construction will include 7,000 square feet of office space, he said. The hangar will be west of Sage-Popovich Inc.
After the meeting, Vicari said Wingtip Aviation, of Valparaiso, is set to lease the new hangar for its long-range business jets, private and charter operations.
The existing smaller hangar will be demolished. Work on the new hangar is expected to begin in the fall, Vicari said.
Airport officials reported a boost in business in early July as the airport welcomed NASCAR race teams arriving for the July 1-2 Chicago Street Race.
Officials from B. Coleman and the Gary Jet Center, the airport’s two fixed based operators, said they received positive feedback. “They loved the airport and that they could bring buses on the airfield,” said Chris Kozicki, B. Coleman vice president. He said about 20 race teams were served.
“The event required a lot of coordination,” said Lynn Eplawy, president of the Gary Jet Center. She said her company hosted two race teams and NASCAR’s executive operations team.
Next up for the airport is the Aug. 5-6 Gary Air Show headlined by the U.S. Army Golden Knights at Marquette Park. Vicari said attendees will be routed to the park until its parking lots fill and then to remote parking sites at Wirt and Marquette schools. He said remote parking will cost $20. Gary Public Transit Corp. buses and trolleys from the city of Crown Point will shuttle visitors to the park.
Vicari said acts will begin arriving Aug. 3 and Aug. 4 with a media event on Aug. 4.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
