Battle Creek approves 30-year lease with Western Michigan University College of Aviation

The Battle Creek City Commission on Feb. 3 approved Resolution 315 authorizing the city manager to execute a 30-year commercial lease and use agreement with the Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University for use by its College of Aviation. The agreement, as presented, includes an initial annual rent of $157,717 with a 2% increase each year and an estimated $5.96 million in total revenue over the 30-year term.

City materials summarized the College of Aviation's local footprint, noting the program established its presence at the airport in 1995, a $24 million facility renovation completed in 2021, a fleet of roughly 45 aircraft, and staff and student figures presented to the commission (the presentation cited approximately 70 full-time and 195 part-time staff and about 1,200 students). Commissioners moved and seconded the resolution and voted to approve Resolution 315.

Commissioners offered brief praise for the College's leadership and presence at the airport. The meeting record includes a commissioner remark thanking "Phil" for leadership; the transcript did not identify the speaker who thanked him, and the individual representing Western Michigan University was not quoted directly in the meeting record.

Next steps: The resolution authorizes the city manager to finalize and sign the lease consistent with terms approved and to proceed with implementation under city attorney review. Specific start date or operational changes under the lease were not specified in the meeting materials on the record.

The vote to adopt Resolution 315 closed that agenda item and the commission proceeded to general public comment.