Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Aerotropolis?

An Aerotropolis is an emerging type of urban form comprised of aviation-intensive businesses and those businesses that need to be readily connected to their customers. These businesses, and related enterprises, extend outward from a major airport. Aerotropoli have emerged across the globe in the 21st century as air transportation has become a vital component of business operations.

How did the Aerotropolis vision come to be?

The idea that Detroit Metropolitan Airport could generate economic activity outside its boundaries has been around for almost two decades, and was enhanced by Northwest Airlines choosing Detroit as a hub of operations. Only in the past 4 years have we attempted to bring together all the relevant stakeholders to advance the project on a regional level. 10 entities including 7 local governments, Wayne County and Washtenaw County, and the Airport Authority signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the Aerotropolis concept in 2006. In 2007, we formed a Task Force that included members of the private sector, and then merged the Task Force with our government partnership. Since then, the Aerotropolis concept has moved more from vision to implementation, resulting in the proposed creation of an Aerotropolis Development Corporation to permanently institutionalize the effort.

Where will the Detroit Region Aerotropolis be located?

The Detroit Region Aerotropolis is planned to encompass 60,000 acres of land in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties surrounding Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports. The local communities of Romulus, Taylor, Ypsilanti, Belleville, Huron Township, Ypsilanti Township, and Van Buren Township have partnered to advance the development of a an Aerotropolis in Southeast Michigan.

As development occurs over time, the aerotropolis could extend outward as far as 15 - 20 miles from the airport center, along Michigan’s major transportation corridors such as I-94, I-275, I-96, I-75, M-14, or US-23. This development would have far reaching benefits for the entire region and state by spurring economic activity east to Detroit, west to Ann Arbor, north to Oakland County and south to Monroe County.

What types of companies are typically attracted to an Aerotropolis?

Aerotropoli are powerful and successful economic development engines. They typically attract industries related to time-sensitive manufacturing, e-commerce fulfillment, telecommunications and logistics as well as offices for business people who travel frequently by air. Some even attract high value agricultural growers. Clusters of business parks, logistics parks, industrial parks, distribution centers, information technology complexes and wholesale merchandise marts typically locate around the airport and along the transportation corridors radiating from them. Major airports, like Detroit Metro, which can attract these businesses, can significantly grow employment and enhance the competitiveness of a region.

What strategic assets can the Detroit Region leverage?

As a result of Michigan’s strong automotive heritage, manufacturing infrastructure, and proximity to Canada, the Detroit region is already a global gateway for trade. Detroit and the surrounding southeast Michigan metro region has been a transportation hub for more than two hundred years: first via ship, then rail, then road and now air. The region is strategically positioned along the North American trade corridor, endowed with robust rail capacity and a strong roadway system, linked to the Great Lakes and the oceans via the Port of Detroit, and its airports are among the best in the world.

In addition, the region has a large and extremely diverse population, labor force and skill base that can help support—and take advantage of—airport oriented development. The region has the highest concentration of engineers in the United States, is home to 80% of the world’s automotive research and development, and has several nationally renowned universities and medical institutions.

The anchors of the Detroit Region Aerotropolis are Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Willow Run Airport (YIP). Located just seven miles apart, there are approximately 25,000 acres of developable land both within and outside the airport boundaries. DTW currently ranks as the 19th busiest airport in the world, serving over 36 million passengers annually. Willow Run is a reliever for DTW, and serves corporate and general aviation. With a combined total of 11 runways and no operational curfews, both airports have enormous capacity to increase the volume of passengers and cargo shipped to and from Detroit.

In short, Detroit is a big economy in a unique geographical region. The availability of large amounts of land near our world-class airport system makes the region an ideal place to develop a world-class airport city.

What are the advantages of developing the aerotropolis around a dual-airport system such as Detroit Metro and Willow Run?

The combination of Willow Run and Detroit Metropolitan airport makes for a unique airport system unlike any airport system in the world. Both are owned and operated by the same authority, and both specialize in certain types of air travel. Detroit Metro will always be the premier commercial passenger travel facility, but Willow Run has the potential to build off its small aircraft passenger travel and its on-demand cargo operations. Integrating the two into the Aerotropolis project makes sense as we position ourselves to be competitive in all aviation markets.

What is the potential economic impact of the Aerotropolis?

Jones Lang LaSalle completed an economic impact study as part of its comprehensive strategic development plan for the Detroit Region Aerotropolis. The analysis indicates that with the proper business attraction effort, after 25 years of construction, the Detroit Region Aerotropolis has the potential to bring in 64,000 additional jobs to the region with wages of $3.8 billion per year and more than $10 billion of additional annual economic activity upon full build out of thirteen primary development sites. If this job potential is reached, the Aerotropolis would employ 20,000 more people than those who work today in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

The Aerotropolis is also projected to have a significant fiscal impact at the State, County and Local levels. Additional annual tax revenues are estimated at $30 million from the Michigan Business Tax and $67 million from the Michigan personal income tax. Property tax revenue is estimated at $74 million annually for municipal, county, local school district, state education tax fund, and community colleges.

In addition to the above on-going economic impacts after completion, there will be an upfront “one-time” economic impact from the construction of the Aerotropolis. These development activities are expected to generate economic activity of $173 million per year and additional jobs of nearly 1,500 with wages of $78 million per year over the 25-year construction period.

What other direct and indirect benefits will the Aerotropolis provide?

The Detroit Region Aerotropolis will be far-reaching. In addition to the economic impact identified above, the following are among the anticipated outcomes:

• A solution to the much publicized brain-drain in Michigan -- attractive and secure Michigan career opportunities will be created for the imaginative and productive talent who graduate from the State’s internationally recognized educational institutions and professional/trade schools.

• An education infrastructure that is enhanced through the training and continuing education required by these new economy businesses.

• A more diverse industry base that will stabilize the value of personal and commercial investment assets.

• Enhancement of Michigan’s export markets

• A greater draw of tourism to Detroit and other Michigan destinations

Will development in the Detroit Region Aerotropolis negatively impact communities such as Detroit?

No. According to Dr. John Kasarda, the economic impact of the Aerotropolis can extend out 15-20 miles from its airport center. Jobs created throughout the Aerotropolis will be available to residents throughout the Southeast Michigan region. Detroit Metro Airport and its ancillary operations currently employ nearly 2,000 residents from the City of Detroit, and 2000 from Oakland County. This number could significantly grow with the creation of 64,000 Aerotropolis jobs.

Examples of the positive impacts of aerotropoli on their neighboring city centers can be found outside of our region. The UPS WorldPort operation in Louisville, for example, has brought new development to the downtown area and has drawn student employees from all over the State of Kentucky. Likewise, major development around the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport has only served to strengthen the viability of both city centers.

From our research and that of our consultants, we know that a strong airport benefits our downtown areas. Boeing, for example, chose to locate their Chicago offices in downtown Chicago rather than at the airport in order to take advantage of all the city had to offer. The impact of Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport extends well beyond the immediate area around the airport, extending all the way to Amsterdam's central business district.

We see the Aerotropolis as the crossroads of Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Oakland County. Our business attraction effort is aimed at luring businesses that need to be physically located close to the airport, and is not intended to take away business from other parts of the region and State.

How will development within the Aerotropolis be managed?

The partnering entities have agreed upon a conceptual organizational structure that they believe is needed to make the Aerotropolis a reality. This metro-area organization encompasses all aspects necessary to provide one-stop shopping and attractive incentives to potential Aerotropolis business partners.

The proposed structure entails the creation of an Aerotropolis Development Corporation through an interlocal agreement among participating governmental entities. Modeled after successful business parks such as Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, the Corporation is designed to provide strong and consistent leadership, unified marketing and branding, and one stop shopping for land, incentives and permitting. It is anticipated that the board will include local government and private-sector representatives.

How do we know the proposed Aerotropolis region is viable for this type of development?

The Metropolitan Detroit region has the key elements to become a world-class Aerotropolis – major airport facilities, available land, and engaged and supportive community leaders and business executives. Home to over five million people, southeast Michigan is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. With a strong manufacturing base and excellent infrastructure, Detroit is ideally positioned to become a global center for cargo and logistics activity, the foundation for the Detroit Region Aerotropolis.

As part of the foundation for the Jones Lang LaSalle Strategic Development Plan, a physical property review, legal/regulatory analysis, and real estate market assessment were completed. These analyses identified: 1) the many strengths and minor manageable weaknesses of the Detroit Aerotropolis; 2) no major legal/regulatory impediments to development; 3) solid fundamentals for development in the warehouse/distribution market; and 4) additional development opportunities in underserved markets such as R&D/flex, office and hotel.

The Strategic Development Plan outlines the planning concepts to ensure a globally competitive aerotropolis that adds significantly to the quality of life for member communities. It capitalizes on existing infrastructure while creating a sustainable network to serve current and future generations.

In addition to the Jones Lang LaSalle analysis, Detroit has a reputation of being one of the most “logistics friendly” regions in the United States by Expansion Management Online. Detroit is the third leading gateway when compared with all U.S. freight gateways—land, air and sea.

Will the Aerotropolis development impact residential areas?

Recently completed Aerotropolis studies identify over 10,000 acres of vacant/industrial land within a 3 mile radius of Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports and suitable for airport related development. None of this land area includes or relies on redeveloping residential subdivisions.

While the Aerotropolis member communities recognize that the initiative can be an engine for economic revitalization of the entire Metro Detroit region, they are also cognizant of the need to develop in a planned and sustainable manner, which means focusing development close to the airports and in non-residential areas. The stakeholders are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of residents and businesses already located within the Aerotropolis, while also attracting new jobs and business activity. Residents will benefit through jobs, a viable and sustainable business climate, and stabilized land and home values.

Will the Aerotropolis impose personal costs on residents within the region?

The Detroit Aerotropolis Region Plan is not intended to add financial burdens to our citizens, residents, property owners and businesses. The plan's vision is to attract new wealth and commercial investment to Southeast Michigan by leveraging the economic potential of Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports. Thirty-six million passengers and millions of tons of cargo fly in and out of these facilities annually. The international airports in Dallas, Dubai, Frankfort, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and Singapore are enjoying incredible industrial, commercial and residential growth and stability. Southeast Michigan is already endowed with tremendous physical assets and human capital that make us attractive to foreign investment. Our goal in collaborating across communities is to utilize these assets to ensure that development enhances the quality of life of our residents.

How will mass transit be incorporated into the Aerotropolis project?

Mass transit will play a critical role in the development of the Aerotropolis. For the Aerotropolis to truly benefit all of Southeast Michigan, we must find ways to connect workers to jobs within the Aerotropolis district, and to connect visitors of the region to our established central business districts including downtown Detroit, Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Oakland County. Beyond the Metro Detroit region, we will explore ways to transform the Aerotropolis into a hub serving the State of Michigan, the Midwest and the Great Lakes region. Given that Detroit Metropolitan Airport already attracts passengers from throughout Michigan, parts of northern Ohio, and southwest Ontario, the Aerotropolis stakeholders see an opportunity to build upon these connections and drive economic activity.

The proposed Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail is the first step to establishing improved transit service to the airport. Transit service will help influence transit-oriented development, walkable areas, and attractive business environments. The Aerotropolis partners will also explore ways in which mobility can be improved within the immediate Aerotropolis district.

What lessons have you been able to learn from aerotropolis developments around the world that will help the Detroit Aerotropolis get off the ground?

We know we must work together as a region for this project to succeed. Development around Amsterdam Schiphol airport involved over 100 different entities including local governments, citizens groups, and businesses.

We must have sustained support from the private sector. We are grateful to those who have supported us thus far, and we look forward to working more closely with local businesses once we have initiated the Development Corporation. Private development has been crucial to economic activity around Dallas-Fort Worth airport and Chicago’s O’hare airport.

Mass transit will be critical to realizing the regional value of the Aerotropolis. We need to connect citizens to jobs at the airport and in the Aerotropolis, and we want to connect visitors to our central business districts, especially our cultural and entertainment facilities in Detroit and Ann Arbor. Mass transit is a key component of many Aerotropolis developments including Amsterdam, Dallas, Chicago, Shanghai, Washington D.C., and in Atlanta.

Anchor tenants will be critical to driving economic activity around the airports. While we may not be able to lure UPS and FedEx away from Louisville and Memphis, we will need to attract firms that utilize the airports on an everyday basis.

We will need the support of the State of Michigan to make this work, and we must make the Aerotropolis project a “win-win” for all Michigan residents.