The Challenge
Revitalizing and positioning the Gary/Chicago International Airport (GYY) as Chicago’s “third airport”
The Gary/Chicago International Airport had long suffered from failed development plans and airlines that came and went, damaging the reputation of the City of Gary and the Airport Authority. In 2013, a public-private partnership (P3) was created to accelerate job creation and long-term investment in the airport. The P3 Committee was faced by a skeptical public accustomed to seeing another “big idea” to develop the airport go bust. Moreover, the Airport Authority needed to overhaul its reputation to prove it was serious, ready, and willing for this type of development concept in order to attract the investment community.