What is projected to create up to 60,000 jobs, exhibits true regionalism and would make Thomas Friedman squirm with delight? It's the aerotropolis being developed that would link Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Willow Run and to port and rail terminals throughout the area.
The reason for all the attention to an aerotropolis, or airport city, is that logistics jobs are growing and cannot be outsourced – hence the Friedman, AKA World is Flat author, joke above. In Alex Diasdosz's recent metromode feature, he describes the logic behind the concept as: "Cities of the past rose at hubs of transportation — seaports, rail stations, and most recently, highways; accordingly, cities of the future will sprout around airports, the nuclei of global travel."
Now, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano has announced the task force that will be charged with executing the concept. It will be co-chaired by John Rakolta, Jr. from Walbridge Aldinger and Joseph Palamara of the Wayne County Commission.
Private sector members run the gamut and include an architect, non-profit representatives, auto manufacturers and suppliers, the airline industry and consumer product manufacturers such as Masco.
Public sector members represent Wayne County, Taylor, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Belleville, Washtenaw County, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Van Buren Township, Romulus, Huron Township, Wayne County Airport Authority, Michigan Department of Transportation and SEMCOG.
The group is charged with developing public and private sector support and serving as an advisory body for the creation of the master development, economic impact, business attraction and marketing plans for the aerotropolis. It will also recommend a long-term governance structure, a key component to making the plan a reality.
Source: Wayne County
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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