May 10, 2008 7:26 pm US/Central
Taste Of The 'Taste' May Come To O'Hare
New Aviation Commissioner Wants Airport To Better Represent City Culture
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
Travelers shouldn't have to leave O'Hare Airport to get a "taste of the Taste" of Chicago, newly appointed Aviation Commissioner Richard Rodriguez said Friday. He also said the gateway to the city could feature live music.
At his City Council confirmation hearing, Rodriguez said O'Hare concessions already have a "strong local flavor," but he thinks Chicago can do better.
He said the mayor wants to ensure that "anyone traveling through our airports can get a taste of the Taste."
"We're known for great jazz and great blues. We're known for sports and . . . great food. How do you make the Chicago airport system reflective of that? How often do entertainers have an opportunity to come and play? ... I'm sure we can develop a plan to try and give our traveling public ... more of what Chicago has to offer."
Rodriguez, 37, is Mayor Daley's 10th aviation commissioner since 1991.
He replaces Nuria Fernandez, who was at loggerheads with Rosemarie Andolino, executive director of the city's O'Hare Modernization Project.
Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th) asked Rodriguez at Friday's Aviation Committee meeting to describe his relationship with Andolino.
"As a partnership . . . we work very closely together," Rodriguez said, vowing to work with Andolino to persuade major airlines to finance Phase Two of Daley's massive runway expansion project.
Rodriguez spent 10 months as buildings commissioner and a year as O'Hare's managing deputy for real estate and planning. But Carothers said there's a world of difference between that narrow focus and his new job. "You have to admit, it's going to be a big learning curve for you," he said.
For years, black and Hispanic aldermen have been demanding that minorities receive a bigger piece of the O'Hare concession, construction and employment pie.
"One of our biggest concerns is making sure that, when we walk through the airport, we see people of color working in every station. . . . We want a diverse, representative work force," Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th) said.
Rodriguez said he is "completely committed to ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity -- at not just concessions but all contracting opportunities throughout the Chicago airport system."
Southwest Side Ald. Michael Zalewski (23rd) said he'll pressure Rodriguez to sell or lease city-owned property around Midway Airport to local businesses. "Some of these businesses are actually considering leaving if they can't expand," Zalewski said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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