The Lee County Port Authority today rejected a recommendation that would have allowed a company with past environmental violations to demolish the old terminal at Southwest Florida International Airport.

But the president of the rejected company said it’s not over yet.

“I’m going to protest the award,” said Arthur M. Dore. “I was never served notice they were planning on awarding to anyone else but me.”

Dore was the low bidder on the job, but the Lee County Commission — sitting as the port authority board — decided to go with the second lowest bidder, CST Environmental Inc. of Houston, Texas, with a bid of $1,688,800.

Dore & Associates Contracting Inc. of Bay City, Mich.,, had the low bid of $1,445,600. But records from Minnesota’s Pollution Control Agency show Dore paid a $25,000 fine in late 2000 and agreed to refrain from doing business in the state. Dore denied wrongdoing.

The airport's Special Management Committee had given conditional approval to Dore. However, a lengthy legal review by airport officials led to the decision to recommend the Houston company.

Demolition work is expected to begin no later than early next year and last about six months.

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