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Oakland County greenlights Park Place hangar lease, creates Aviation Department and endorses Cheryl Bush as director
Summary
Commissioners recommended a 30‑year land lease for a new 24,000 sq ft hangar at Oakland County International to Park Place Hangar Co., voted to create a standalone Aviation Department, and recommended the county executive’s appointment of Cheryl Bush as aviation director; motions carried and a public hearing on the department will be held Feb. 19.
Economic development staff presented multiple aviation items: a long‑term land lease with Park Place Hangar Company LLC for a southeast corner parcel at Oakland County International, a proposal to establish a standalone Aviation Department, and the county executive’s nomination of Cheryl Bush as the aviation director.
Staff described the lease (30‑year term) as the result of an RFP that yielded a single successful bidder that met requirements; the project will add an approximately 24,000‑square‑foot hangar and office space and is expected to begin construction in spring when weather permits. The lease includes provisions to adjust rent every two years as standard in county land leases.
County HR and executive staff outlined the rationale for creating a separate Aviation Department: the airport is the second‑busiest in Michigan by takeoffs and landings, has significant economic impact and asset value, and merits dedicated departmental oversight. Staff said the airport previously functioned as a division under other departments and that the airport committee unanimously supported the change. A public hearing under Michigan Public Act 139 of 1973 was scheduled for 02/19/2026 to consider the department creation.
On the proposed appointment, the county executive recommended naming Cheryl Bush as Oakland County’s aviation director; multiple commissioners praised Bush’s leadership and said compensation would be reviewed to ensure competitiveness. The committee voted to recommend the lease, the department reorganization, and the appointment to the finance and full board as appropriate.
