THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2008
Historic Hangar One To Be Demolished
By RICHARD MAYER
Journal Reporter
A long-standing building from the 1920s and a historic landmark to some will soon be demolished at Chicago Executive Airport (CEA) to pave way for a new $15 million aviation facility to be constructed in its place.
At the beginning of July, the last aircraft departed the Hangar One facility, located on the southeast quadrant of the airport at Milwaukee Avenue and Palatine Road, according to Airport Manager Dennis Rouleau.
In March, CEA Board members approved Massachusetts-based Sovereign Development Group to build a new aviation facility in its place.
According to Rouleau, the 10,000 sq. ft. now vacant Hangar One is expected to be demolished at the end of this month or immediately after Labor Day.
Construction is expected to begin immediately after that on a new 62,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art hangar space.
"The lease was signed in May, so Sovereign has a year to construct the new facility," said Rouleau. "They must be up and running by June or at least start paying rent by that time."
The redevelopment will also feature:
* A fully enclosed, two-story, 4,500 sq. ft. glass atrium with airfield viewing wall, open to the public.
* 30,000 sq. ft. of office space.
* 7,500 sq. ft. of restaurant space.
* 7,500 sq. ft. for an executive terminal.
* Potential for "in-hangar" office space.
* An in-house executive catering company.
* A pilot shop.
* Display area within the atrium for an airfield history retrospective.
* A fully monitored in-ground fuel farm.
"This new building will truly celebrate the golden age of flying," said Rouleau.
The 80-year plus facility housed between eight and nine aircrafts at any given time depending on the size of the plane and was also the home to the Palwaukee Flyers, an aviation training school.
Since the facility has become vacant, Palwaukee Flyers has moved a half-mile north on Milwaukee Avenue.
Rouleau mentioned that the current facility has deteriorated over the years and there were problems from time to time getting jets into the building.
The airport is owned by both Wheeling and Prospect Heights.