Oakland County International Airport New 'Green' Terminal to Open in 2010

PONTIAC, MICH. - October 29, 2008 - Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson today announced that a new "Green" terminal will be constructed at Oakland County International Airport, replacing the existing building which has been in service for nearly half a century.

Construction of the environmentally friendly building is expected to begin in the spring of 2009 and should be completed by summer 2010. The entire project will cost $5.5 million and is completely funded. It is being paid for by the Airport Fund, which has been saving for several years to pay for the terminal and other capital improvements. The Airport Fund is supported by fees collected by airport users, not from county property tax.

"With Oakland International being the aviation gateway to our county as we attract high-tech firms from all over the world to do business here, it makes perfect sense for this portal to be technologically advanced and environmentally friendly," Patterson said. "The terminal will tell first-time visitors to our county as well as our old friends that they have come to the right place - Oakland County, Michigan."

The terminal will be one of the first of its kind in the country for a general aviation airport. Oakland International is the 16th busiest general aviation airport in the United States and the second busiest airport in the state behind Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The new terminal will incorporate wind power generating technology to offset electrical power, geothermal power and rain water for landscape irrigation. The county will seek LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) through the United States Green Building Council. Neumann Smith Architecture of Southfield is designing the building. Frank Rewold and Sons will serve as general contractor for the project.

The new terminal will be constructed on the same site as the existing building. Upon completion, it will actually be smaller in terms of square footage (approx. 13,500 vs. 17,000) but the space will be used more efficiently. The new building will include airport offices, a U.S. Customs Service office and have a private meeting room that can accommodate 80 people.

Materials used in the building construction will contain recycled content and be friendly to the indoor environment. Materials from the demolished building will be recycled when possible.

More than 500,000 passengers and pilots pass through Oakland International each year. More than 800 private and corporate aircraft are based there.

"This is the final step in the completion of our master plan which began nearly 10 years ago," said J. David VanderVeen, director of central services for Oakland County who oversees the airport. "The master plan and our capital program stressed safety and security first. In the last few years we have resurfaced and improved the entire runway network. The main runway extension will be complete next summer and so will the noise abatement program. This is an exciting time for us."

Patterson also announced that the county is sponsoring a "Green" summit in cooperation with Lawrence Technological University and Leadership Oakland. The summit will be held in the spring on the campus of LTU. It will recognize the "Green" achievements of Oakland County businesses, communities and schools as well publicizing "Green" resources available to local businesses and business opportunities.