Ex-Chicago Executive Airport CEO's role unclear in next phase of project
The Chicago Executive Airport board unanimously approved a plan Wednesday to continue with Phase 2 of a study that looks at the current use and potential of the airport.
Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, a consulting group hired by the airport to author the study's first phase, will remain on for Phase 2.
It remains unclear, though, what role the airport's former-CEO Charlie Priester will hold. Priester was hired in July 2014 and given the CEO title in hopes of bringing negotiating and bargaining power to the airport. His contract expired earlier this summer.
"We do expect Mr. Priester will have a role; he will probably be a subcontractor. He's probably going to work more directly with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly," CEA Board Chairman Robert McKenzie said. "They are still working on what their relationship's going to be and when it's finalized we'll know."
The agreement with the consultant will cost Chicago Executive Airport $175,000 for the current spending year. The state has agreed to match that amount, bringing the total cost to $350,000.
But what if the state, which is currently operating without a budget, doesn't contribute its share?
Crawford, Murphy & Tilly's Brian Welker says the project will still get done.
"With the state funds, there will be a much more robust report; we'll be able to get more detail," Welker said. "If the state funds don't materialize and we have to put a stop at $175,000, we'll get what we indicated in joint meetings as the original goal."
The first part of Phase 2 is likely to include surveys and interviews with airport operators and a study of current airport property that could be used for "economic development and redevelopment purposes" among other tasks, according to a Visioning Report from Crawford, Murphy & Tilly.
McKenzie says the airport is overdue when it comes to drawing up a new master plan.
"The FAA recommends it be done. We have guidance from them and it's been more than 30 years since the airport engaged in this process to come up with a master plan," McKenzie said.