Detroit Metro Airport has plan to save its shops

WKAR Public Media

Published July 27, 2009 at 10:59 AM EDT

By AP

ROMULUS, MI – A memo obtained by the Detroit Free Press shows the operator of Detroit Metropolitan Airport warns many of the 120 businesses in the facility's terminals could close if they don't receive some assistance.

The newspaper reports Monday the Wayne County Airport Authority has developed a hardship plan that would defer payment of a portion of the fees the airport charges businesses.

Retail sales at the McNamara Terminal from October 2008 through January of this year were down 17 percent to 40 percent from the year-ago period.

The Detroit News reports passenger counts are down 13 to 15 percent since last year.

The issue is on the agenda at a meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

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