GARY │ The City Council approved two ordinances Tuesday regarding expansion at Gary/Chicago International Airport.
The first ordinance granted land that is designated dune and swale to be removed and used for expansion; in exchange, other vacant Gary land will be developed into a dune-and-swale area to compensate for the lost areas.
The John Borak subdivision, which currently is being used as a dump site, has dune and swale characteristics, so it is considered a good exchange. The ordinance is requesting that the byway and alleyways within the subdivision be restored to their original natural state.
Airport Director Steve Landry said the land will be cleaned up and restored, then given back to the public for further restoration.
The second ordinance the council approved involves the Northfolk Southern Corp. The airport expects to reroute the rail line and realign the entrance to the Indiana Sugar Factory.
As the ordinance requires a realigning the Sugar Factory entrance, it also requires the property owners to get the byways and roads cleared.
Councilman Roy Pratt believes the runway expansion will benefit the city.
“The airport is one of the most lucrative outlets for this city. It’s going to create thousands of jobs," Pratt said. “Airplanes are going to be coming in and out of this city now because of the development of the airport. This is a huge project that is going to benefit this city immensely.”
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