ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – A recent proposal to lengthen the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport runway has been met with both praise and criticism from architects and those living near the vicinity of the prospective building area. 

One such resident, Rosemarie Simon, declared that the runway would extend within 900 feet of her front door if the proposal advances.  Among the other residents and opponents of the extension who spoke at a recent public forum on Dec. 14, many cited noise and safety concerns during the meeting. 

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“They don’t care about Pittsfield Township, they want to do what they want to do,” Simon said, recounting a crack in her home she said she’s repaired four times due to vibrations caused by passing aircraft. Her common refrain when talking on the phone with friends? “Incoming!” 

The proposal has been in the works for more than a decade according to MLive.  In 2009, the city of Ann Arbor began pursuing the required federal environmental assessment (EA) process, which addresses potential impacts to noise levels, air quality, water quality, wetlands, floodplains, plant and wildlife, light emissions, historical and cultural resources, traffic, and social and socioeconomic factors.  Preliminary drafts began in 2010 and 2016.  Now a 2022 EA draft is available for the public to review. 

After some alterations to earlier forms, the updated proposal features a 720 foot runway extension toward Simon’s house, and some changes to other elements such as taxiways.  Despite the report, some do not believe it accounts for the reality of those living around the airport. 

“I know for a fact because I live under runway six flight path. If I’m out on my deck having coffee with my wife, we have to stop talking because there’s an airplane going by, and that’s an estimate of 70 decibels. If I’m at a pool party with my neighbors, (we) stop talking when an airplane goes by and then it comes back seven minutes later because they’re doing touch-and-gos,” President of the Maple Creek subdivision homeowners’ association, Phil Hemenway siad, ““That’s diminished quality of life. Pittsfield Township in the (environmental assessment) is totally invisible.”

Still other residents have concerns regarding a possible increase to more private jets using the extended runway, which happens commonly when there are University of Michigan football home games they said. 

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The Airport Manager, Matthew Kulhanek, tried to address safety and traffic concerns earlier this week by mentioning that the airport has not had a fatality in 16 years, and crashes or emergency landings are rare.  He also does not anticipate a huge change in flight activity after the project is completed.  

At the forum, many of the opponents of the project, promised to flood officials with comments opposed to the project.  Regardless if one is for or against the project, comments can be submitted to Kulhanek and more information about the project can be found here.