Chicago Executive Airport works to develop unused land
The Chicago Executive Airport board will be making a decision soon on how to develop a mostly unused piece of land at the Wheeling facility.
Three proposals have come in for 8 acres in the southeast quadrant of the airport, which borders Milwaukee Avenue. Currently, a hangar and a few other buildings are on that land.
"There's abandoned ramp space, and the old Hangar 1 that would be coming down," said E. Allan Englehardt, the chair of the airport board.
The board listened to proposals from all three developers last Wednesday and plans to choose one at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
All three proposals reflect an effort to attract the community to the airport and also provide amenities for pilots flying in and out of Chicago Executive Airport.
"People that are traveling by executive jets are looking for a very upscale type of facility," Englehardt said. "They want it right there off the ramp where they can go rent a car, a place where they can have meetings."
"We are looking for a facility that will complement the rest of the airport," said airport manager Dennis Rouleau. "If there's an opportunity to bring non-aviation people into the airport, that would be a plus."
Falcon Trust, based in Florida, has done work for the Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport in that state. Englehardt said it has made a similar proposal for Chicago Executive, which is owned by both Wheeling and Prospect Heights. It calls for office suites, lounges and a restaurant.
Sovereign Aviation also is proposing a restaurant along with hangar space, office space and an executive terminal.
Both those proposals also include provisions for in-ground fueling at the site.
The third proposal, from Raymond Chou, would use existing companies to provide fuel service.
That proposal includes an observation deck, aviation playground for children, a showroom for airplanes on sale and a restaurant, as well.
"All would be good to select," Englehardt said. "They would all be outstanding for the airport."