Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1946 [PAGE 22]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1944]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

19

REPORT OF PROGRESS ON AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION {28) Professor James J. Doland, Supervising Engineer for the University on Airport Construction, submits the following report of progress since the last report ( t h i r d ) made to the Board on April 8, 1044.:

PRESIDENT A. C. W I I X A R D : July

J

3'

I044

Since May 29, 1944, the date of my last formal report to you, the following items represent the principal developments in the progress of construction of the University of Illinois Airport: 1. Agreement with Two Mile Slough Drainage District. T h e agreement with the Two Mile Slough Drainage District was completed and the papers have been placed in the official files of the Board of Trustees. 2. Purchase of Ross Property. T h e purchase of the Ross property has been completed, but I understand from Mr. Reno, attorney for Mr. Ross, that the money has not yet been paid. 3. Negotiations for Somers Property. I have carried on a long series of negotiations with the Somers family in regard to the right of way for the western drainage outlet. After being assured that the Somers were willing to sell the necessary right of way, I was informed yesterday that they would only permit passage through their land if 1400 feet of 54-inch pipe and 1300 feet of open ditch would constitute the drainage channel. This matter is to be discussed on July 10th in Urbana with Mr. Newton F a r r and Mr. Amos Watts. I have already handed you a detailed report on the above negotiations to date. In anticipation of the possible need for the procurement of other right of way, I contacted on July 7th, Mr. George Reifsteck who owns the land just south of the Somers farm. Mr. Reifsteck is not disposed to permit the ditch to go through his property. T h e entire matter of the last one-half mile of right of way for the western drainage is still very much up in the air. Mr. Watts and Mr. F a r r were here on July loth, and after conferences with the Somers family, we felt that a satisfactory agreement had been reached. But I was advised unofficially on July 12th that the July 10th agreement was not satisfactory to the owner of the farm. 4. Western Drainage. In regard to the whole problem of western drainage, the C.A.A. refused to approve the installation of a pipe channel for the half-mile of the western drainage outlet. Efforts were made through Senator Lucas to persuade them to reverse their decision. This, they refused to do, and consequently, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees authorized me to advise the C.A.A. that the University would pay the difference in cost in an amount equivalent to approximately $27,000. This figure would include $20,000 of money not then appropriated and $7,000 of money already appropriated by the Board. I decided to make an offer less than the one authorized, and therefore, told the C.A.A. that the University would contribute a gross amount of $20,000. This amount would include $13,000 of new money and $7,000 of money already appropriated. T h e offer was formally made by you in a telegram and a letter to the C.A.A. It is recommended that the $19,000 approved by the Executive Committee on June 30th and on July 13th be allowed to stand, in order to cover contingencies which are bound to arise in the settlement of the Somers controversy. Official acceptance of the offer made to the C.A.A. has not yet been received, but there is every reason to believe that it will be accepted. 5. Progress Reports. I arranged with Professor Huntington and Dr. Peck to have Mr. Tigrak and Mr. Uyanik make daily reports on construction progress. This has been done and copies are on file in this office and in your office. T h e construction is proceeding on schedule, but the contractor is having considerable difficulty with C.A.A. inspectors. Steps are being taken by the contractors to improve this relationship. 6. Zoning. T h e ordinance covering the zoning of the airport was approved by the Illinois Aeronautics Commission and passed by the Champaign County Board of Supervisors on June 12, 1944. 7. Seeding and Sodding. • Attempts have been made to get the C.A.A. to express a definite program