Management company hired to bolster Waukegan airport and harbor
Daily Herald Report
A Wisconsin company has been hired to improve the harbor and airport in Waukegan.
The Waukegan Port District board of directors awarded a management contract for Waukegan Harbor and Waukegan National Airport to SG Marina and SG Airport, the marina and airport management divisions of Milwaukee-based Siegel-Gallagher Management Company.
"Both the harbor and airport provide a significant contribution to the regional economy now, but have the opportunity to play a much larger role," said Grant B. Farrell, chairman of the Port District Board. "We believe that bringing in a professional management company to assist with operations will provide us the best chance to significantly improve these important assets."
"Waukegan's airport and harbor are a perfect fit for our management model and our experience," said John Matheson, chief operating officer for SG Airport and SG Marina. "The airport location, amenities and available space for expansion provide the fundamentals for taking a bold leap forward in growth. We are thrilled to have an opportunity to work with the board to fulfill this vision."
According to Matheson, the Waukegan National Airport is an important driver of economic activity due to both general aviation and corporate user. "The airport is at an important crossroads with the proposed 7,000-foot runway addition that will require a concerted effort between municipalities, users, the FAA and others to bring to fruition. We believe we can help in those efforts." SG Aviation has provided management services at Mitchell Field in Milwaukee.
In regard to the commercial harbor, SG Marina will explore additional uses for the harbor and adjacent land that will serve to expand and maximize the activity and revenue potential and the port. The recreational harbor has a number of exciting amenities and growth initiatives already in the works, including a new power boat sale, service and storage facility, as well as improved restaurants to support its boaters and the community. Transients are always welcome at Waukegan Harbor.
Waukegan becomes the seventh marina managed by SG Marina, which currently manages publicly-owned marinas in Sheboygan, Egg Harbor and Racine, Wisconsin, Ft. Lauderdale and Titusville, Florida and Rochester, New York totaling about 2,500 slips.
SG Marina plans to improve the branding and marketing to boaters, increase the level of service while adding events at the marina to improve the boater experience. "I was born and raised in Waukegan and used to have a boat in the marina. It is a thrill to be able to contribute to the improvement of the area," Matheson said.