Construction on the future headquarters of the Wayne County Airport Authority — to be named after Michael Berry — is expected to begin in late 2015.
By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — The Wayne County Airport Authority will name its future headquarters after attorney Michael Berry.
The decision was made at the April 15 WCAA meeting when the board passed a resolution to name the new WCAA headquarters in Berry’s honor.
“I was delighted when they told me the news,” Berry said. “I had some idea this was going to happen, but I could not be more honored.”
The building will be built adjacent to the North Terminal Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. It is currently under design and is anticipated to open in 2017. Construction on the facility is set to begin toward the end of this year.
The new headquarters will incorporate sustainable design elements similar to those of the adjacent North Terminal.
The facility will be approximately 84,000-square-feet versus the nearly 305,000-square-foot Smith Building, which was constructed in 1957. The Smith Building currently serves as headquarters for the WCAA.
All WCAA operations will be moved into the new, more efficient Michael Berry administration facility.
Along with being a distinguished attorney Berry is also a community member and philanthropist. He also was elected to the Wayne County Road Commission in 1967 and served for 10 years as chairman.
”Michael Berry saw the importance of expanding Detroit Metropolitan Airport and with his vision, was instrumental in facilitating development that allowed our airport to grow and prosper,” said Airport Authority CEO Thomas Naughton. ”Naming our new administration offices in honor of Mr. Berry allows his legacy and vision to continue on.”
Wayne County Detroit Metropolitan Airport serviced more than 32 million passengers last year and is one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs.
With service from 13 passenger airlines, Michigans largest airport offers more than 1,100 flights per day to and from nearly 150 non-stop destinations on four continents.
The airport is operated by the WCAA.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)