General Information: 

All documentation retained by Airports Division Land Program is stored electronically. All land documents sent to Airports Division are preferred to be in an electronic format (at least 200dpi and saved in PDF, TIF, or JPG format). Please contact MDOT at (517) 335-9755 if you have any questions (email a question). 

Airport Land Acquisition - The Basics 

Projects vary in scope and requirements. Airport owner should consult with AERO before initiating a land acquisition project. Land acquisition projects may include, but are not limited to the following: 

1. Airport identifies property rights needed for existing or future conditions.  
2. Airport contacts AERO to request funding. 
3. If funding is available and the project is approved by AERO, airport should contact a land acquisition consultant to assist with the acquisition process. The land acquisition consultant may need to sub-contract with an engineering consultant to provide any required legal descriptions, drawings/sketches, and Exhibit "A" completion or update. All consultants (including appraisers and negotiators) interviewed or hired for Federal or State assisted projects must be properly licensed in the State of Michigan in compliance with PA299 of 1980 (Occupational Code). Consultant must be able to provide evidence of their license and qualifications on demand. Failure to do so will result in disqualification or contract termination as well as forfeiture of any fees associated with that contract.  
4. Airport and land acquisition consultant prepare the Agreement for Professional Consultant Services. Airport sponsor then sends agreement to AERO for review and approval. Agreement should not be signed prior to written approval from AERO.    
5. AERO issues written approval for consultant costs and prepares consultant costs for transfer and Aeronautics Commission approval (commission meets every other month). 
6. If transfer is approved, AERO prepares Sponsor Contract which must be approved and signed by airport owner. Contract must be signed by sponsor and MDOT before funds are available for the project. Consultant invoices are reviewed and signed by airport before forwarding to AERO for payment.  
7. Land acquisition consultant prepares appraisal(s) to determine value of property rights required for the project (fee simple purchase(s) or avigation easement purchase(s). 
8. After appraisal(s) and review appraisal(s) are completed, airport requests additional funds to acquire the required property rights (based on appraisals/signed purchase agreements) or proceeds with acquisition to seek reimbursement. Negotiations must include the information in step 11 below.  Additional funds can include acquisition, closing, and relocation expenses as allowed under CFR 49 Part 24.  
9. AERO prepares additional costs for transfer and Aeronautics Commission approval (meeting every other month).  
10. If transfer is approved, AERO prepares Sponsor Contract which must be approved and signed by airport owner. Contract must be signed by sponsor and MDOT before funds can be used for the project.  
11. Land acquisition consultant makes Good Faith Offer (GFO) to property owner and negotiates purchase price. A Good Faith Offer should include, but is not limited to, the following documents:  
    • Good Faith Offer - Fee Acquisition or Good Faith Offer - Avigation Easement (dependant upon property rights required for the project)  
      • Offer language must include:  
        • Total compensation amount  
        • Description of property rights being acquired  
        • ALL interested parties (including mortgage companies)  
        • Breakdown of compensable items (reference appraisal)  
        • Reserve right to recover costs (recovery costs for contamination, etc.)  
        • Consistent legal description (same description in appraisal, GFO, etc.)  
    • Copy of appraisal report  
    • Land Acquisition for Public Airports (FAA handbook)
    • Relocation handbook: Federal Relocation Assistance Program - "Your Rights and Benefits as a Displaced Person"
    • Relocation Eligibility Notice
    • Any negotiated amount over and above the appraised value must obtain AERO approval to be considered an eligible project cost.  
12. Consultant coordinates closing and performs relocation  tasks (if necessary). If negotiations are unsuccessful, airport owner initiates condemnation proceedings (obtaining an experienced condemnation attorney is highly recommended to ensure cost eligibility).  Additional funds and Aeronautics Commission approval may be required to pay for condemnation costs. 
13. Upon completion of acquisition or condemnation, Airport or consultant prepares/updates Exhibit "A" and Land Summary and submits to AERO for project closeout. Copies of project documents must be submitted to AERO during the project or when airport requests closeout (scanned documents preferred:  .pdf or .tif at 200 dpi resolution or higher). 

LAND ACQUISITION PROJECTS CAN ALSO BE PAID THROUGH A REIMBURSEMENT. THE AIRPORT OWNER MUST FOLLOW THE REIMBURSEMENT GUIDELINES AS WELL AS THE LAND ACQUISITION GUIDELINES IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. 

Forms and samples not listed on this web site can be obtained by contacting: Chip Kraus (send email) 

Questions regarding Airport Improvement Project land issues should be directed to:  Chip Kraus (send email) Correspondence can be sent to: 

Chip Kraus
Property Specialist
Office of Aeronautics
2700 Port Lansing Road, Lansing, MI 48906-2160
PH: (517) 335-9755 FAX: (517) 886-0366