Gary airport could buy nearby property

Parcel’s advertised $175K price could change after environmental assessment

The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority soon could own property across from the airport that last was home to an adult entertainment store.

No purchase price for the parcel at 4620 Industrial Highway was disclosed during Tuesday’s airport authority meeting. Airport spokesman David Goldenberg said the price could change after the environmental assessment.

The authority unanimously ratified the purchase agreement.

The property was advertised for $175,000 in online listings. It formerly housed Ct’s Adult Super Store, billed as a bar and bookstore on its Facebook page. The property owner is Mari Kaloghiorou.

Au t h o r i t y a t t o r n e y Michael Tolbert said the closing could take place Friday, but the environmental survey still needs to be completed.

Officials weren’t specific about their plans for the property, estimated at about an acre. As part of the airport’s master plan it’s trying to acquire adjacent property for economic development. The parcel is northeast of the airport.

For the second straight month, a new contract for the airport Executive Director Duane Hayden was deferred. Hayden was hired one year ago at a salary of $120,000. Tolbert said some items in the contract needed to be “tweaked.”

The authority renewed a $75,000 contract with Whittaker & Co. for its annual audit prepared for the State Board of Accounts.

Hayden said it’s the fifth year the company is doing the audit.

“We made improvements to assure our accounting is accurate,” Hayden said.

Last year, Whittaker’s audit showed a 2017 yearend cash balance was over- stated by $647,000. The audit blamed posting errors and errant journal entries that resulted in more personnel training.

The authority also approved an annual contract with Helios Consulting at $5,000 per month to represent the airport on legislative matters in aviation, transportation, and property taxes.

Cender and Co. received a $7,500 annual contract to prepare a report on the airport’s bond status for investors, a federal requirement.

Airport consultant Dan Vicari reported a renegotiation on the cost of concrete for a runway rehabilitation project s ave d $481,125 on the contract with Superior Construction.

The authority elected new officers with governor-appointee Tim Fesko remaining as chairman, according to state law. Denise Dillard was named vice president and Alesia Pritchett was elected secretary.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the PostTribune.