U.S. Airport Builders Visit Liberia, Have Expertise to Design and Build Modern Airport at RIA

A consortium of American and South African general contractors just concluded a four-day visit to Liberia to discuss the prospect of a public-private partnership for the design, construction and financing of a new international airport that would serve as an African hub for international flights to the region. Art Chavez, managing partner of PageSoutherlandPage, was a member of the delegation and spoke as the architectural design expert.

As reported by Gerald Hunter of the Liberia Daily Observer, "The group’s plan includes the stationing of a low cost U.S. passenger and cargo carrier similar to Southwest Airlines in the new airport.

The Group was met on arrival by Sen. M. Gbehzohngar Findley at his Capitol Hill Office.  They also paid a courtesy call on Deputy Speaker Hens Barchue.

During the visit, the delegation held discussions with the Liberian Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Transport and the National Investment Commission. They also made informal visits to Monrovia’s  Spriggs Payne Airport, Roberts International Airport and the Firestone Engineering Department; and  participated in an hour-long call-in talk show with the Liberian Broadcasting System.

The delegation comprised Stephen W. Roth and Charles Clements, president and CFO of Roth Construction, Inc. of Houston, Texas, respectively; Ed Hartwell, former professional baseball player on the San Francisco Giants and Senior Associate at Newmark Grubb Knight Frank of New York City; Arturo Chavez, managing partner at Page Southerland Page International LLC of Houston, Texas and Michael Welsch, director at the South Africa Construction Giant, Stefanutti Stock.

The visit was organized by Cyrus Gray, chief operating officer of Houston’s International Management Corporation at the invitation of Sen. M. Gbehzohngar Findley.  Senator Findley extended the visit to the group during his visit to Houston along with President Sirleaf on May 18, 2012.

The visit was coordinated locally by R. Jawah Gray, international financial consultant of IMC and Arthur Abdullai, CEO of EHS Liberia.

Roth Construction is a reputable American General Contractor with extensive experience in infrastructure development. Roth participated in the construction of the Austin International Airport in the Texas capital and is presently finalizing negotiation for the construction of the new Equatorial Guinea International Airport City. Page Southerland Page International LLC is a global architectural firm with offices in all the major markets around the world.

The company is lead designer for several premier western hotels and commercial complexes. Page Southerland Page International designed the Gold Coast City in Accra, Ghana and the New United States Embassies in Monrovia and Pretoria, South Africa. Stefanutti Stock is the lead South Africa member of the group.

Famous among her works is the Construction of the International Airport for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Newmark Grubb Knight Frank is one of the largest full service commercial real estate firms in the world,  with 100 offices in the United States and 300 offices worldwide. The company handles capital financing of over a trillion dollars yearly.

Together, the visiting delegation brings to Liberia the ability to design, build and finance a new International Airport for Liberia."

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