Feeds‘Airport City’ is proposed
If it gets off the ground, it could be the biggest project to date to enhance economic development for the area.
The aerotropolis project, also known as airport city, clusters businesses, industrial parks, distribution facilities, information and telecommunication complexes and centers them all in an airport driven sustainable community environment, according to Wayne County officials.
The Detroit-Metropolitan and Willow Run airports, along with seven area communities: Belleville, Van Buren Township, Romulus, Taylor, Huron Charter Township, Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Charter Township, anchor the development.
Dave Tyler, deputy director of economic development for Wayne County, said the objective is to leverage investment in the airports and economic development activities.
“We’ve put in so much in rebuilding Metro Airport and we continue to make additional investments,” he said. “We want to get local support first, then begin looking at development opportunities. It’s truly something unique.”
Most communities have approved a non-binding memorandum of understanding for the $3 million project. The 25,000-acre development would ultimately create high paying jobs, ensure people can receive an education in Michigan, as well as put their skills to use in the state and provide a unique investment that reflects the impact felt by the auto manufacturers, county officials said.
“It’s a huge undertaking and would develop over a number of years,” said Tyler. “The next steps are raising money, taking the ideas from the studies and applying them to a master plan.”
Many officials seem to be on board with the project:
“I like the idea of an aerotropolis because this has been done in other cities in the country – and even in other countries – and it’s worked well,” said Romulus Mayor Alan Lambert. “It’s just building up and around the airport, and it fits in with our goals of attracting more businesses.”
“It’s jobs, acreage development and the ability to have students grow-up and work here in the township,” said Van Buren Township Supervisor Cindy King.
“We’re certainly in direct line of the project and it’s taking advantage of what I believe is the need to position southeast Michigan and the state for global commerce,” said Bryce Kelley, director of planning and economic development for Van Buren Township.
However, apprehension and concerns also exist.
“You hear all of this talk and talk, but I would like to see some action,” said Lambert.
“The biggest problem is they’re eventually going to ask for money,” said Belleville Mayor Pro-tem William Emerson. “But, it should help the housing values and benefit the entire area by jobs and international trade.”
“We’re probably going to get spin-off benefits, but probably not the middle of the big proceedings,” said Belleville City Manager Steve Walters.
“To be honest, I think it’s big joke,” said Romulus Councilman William Wadsworth. “They’ve been talking about this for years and years, and I just don’t think it’s going to happen. I’m more concerned with our own plans to develop the vacant land on Wick Road than I am any aerotropolis.”
“Some of this involves taking people’s homes and I can’t support that,” he added. “We had some people that lived on Pennsylvania (Street) that had to move because of this, and that land is still vacant. A lot of people are talking about things that are supposed to benefit everyone, but don’t benefit anyone.”
Tyler said studies have shown advantages like the two airports, foreign based business to strengthen global connections and tremendous accessibility, though.
“We certainly need to do things right. Everyone needs to weigh in,” said Tyler. “There will be need to improve, such as utility deficiencies and road systems, so we need to come together.”
“Belleville in particular offers a quality of life: encouragement of new investment and to live where you work and play,” he added.
Aside from the county efforts to develop the area around the airport, Romulus is still trying to secure retailers, technology companies and residential projects for Metro World Center, a planned development near the airport. The federal approvals process is also playing out for a planned casino on Vining Road.
Staff Writer Molly Tippen contributed to this story.
