STN employees
On Saturday, August 17, a group of determined protesters gathered at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport to voice their opposition to the controversial runway extension project.
The demonstrators, consisting of local residents and environmental activists, protested against the planned expansion, citing concerns about increasing noise, safety risks and possible ecological damage. The demonstrators drew attention to themselves with signs and slogans and called on the city administration to stop the project and consider alternative solutions that would not endanger the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhoods.
The planned expansion of the runway at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport has generated mixed approval and concern among residents and officials.
The project, which aims to extend the runway to accommodate the takeoff and landing needs of larger aircraft, is part of a broader effort to improve safety and operational efficiency. Extending the existing runway by about 240 meters would allow aircraft to land and take off with fewer weight restrictions, which currently forces some aircraft to restrict fuel and passengers.
Proponents argue that the expansion will not only increase safety — by providing more room for planes to land and eliminating blind spots for the control tower — but also opens up the possibility for future infrastructure improvements such as widening State Street. The project, estimated to cost between $8 million and $10 million, is expected to be funded primarily by state and federal grants, with a small portion coming from local sources.
However, the plan has faced significant opposition from local residents, particularly those in Pittsfield Township. Many fear that moving the runway closer to residential areas could increase noise levels and pose safety risks. For example, the new runway alignment would move landing planes closer to Lohr Road, where they could pass just 50 feet above the heads of cyclists. In addition, environmental concerns have been raised, as the area around the airport is home to wetlands, native plants, and wildlife such as Canada geese. Local residents have invested significantly in improving the local environment and fear the expansion could undermine those efforts.
The debate over airport expansion has also led to legal action. Pittsfield Township, along with a citizens group called the Committee for Preserving Community Quality, filed suit to block the project. The township argues that the environmental impact assessment approved by the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration did not adequately consider the potential impacts. The lawsuit highlights the deep divide between the economic and operational arguments for the expansion and the community’s concerns about quality of life and environmental protection.
Even as it moves forward, the project is likely to remain a contentious issue in the Ann Arbor region, reflecting the broader challenges of balancing development with community and environmental interests.
