Business

A Detroit City Airport Comeback?

March 27, 2015, 6:39 AM

Coleman A. Young International Airport, which hasn't seen a commercial flight since the now-defunct Pro Air in 2000, could see some action again.

Christine Ferretti of The Detroit News reports that the city of Detroit has gotten funding to buy the remaining homes on Detroit's east side that sit too close to the runway. Currently, the only planes flying at the airport are private, corporate and cargo.

The Duggan administration hopes that completing the residential buyout — dubbed the "French Road mini-take" — will provide a fresh start as the city seeks ways to revitalize the former City Airport.

"We are finally going to bring certainty to the situation," said Brian Farkas, director of special projects for the city's Building Authority. "You are going to see a unified approach coming out of the mayor's office on this that will make sure these residents get the deal they are entitled to."

The Detroit City Council initially approved the buyout in 1994 with the intent of creating a federally mandated safety buffer at least 750 feet from the airport's main runway. There were 470 parcels between French Road and Gilbo Street targeted in the plan that was supposed to take 18 months.

But lack of money, changing administrations and legal wrangling have dogged the plan for more than 20 years.

The airport's longest runway is 5,090 feet, but 6,400 feet is required for 737s.

One of Ferretti's colleagues signals his don't-hold-your-breath view with this tweet:


Read more:  The Detroit News


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