Location: Freeland, Michigan
Architect: Alden B. Dow
The Tri-City Airport Commission, with representatives from Midland, Bay City, and Saginaw, was formed in the early 1960’s to plan and oversee the construction of a new airport to replace the existing 1955 terminal in Freeland. A detailed proposal for a modern airport terminal complex was prepared by the firm of Alden B. Dow and accepted by the Commission.
The site plan was finalized in 1963, and the design development drawings were refined during 1963-64. Working drawings and specifications were completed in September 1965. Collinson Construction Company of Midland was selected as the general contractor for the project. The total pre-construction budget was $1,400,000; the final construction cost amounted to $1,389,000.
The groundbreaking for the new terminal took place on November 9, 1965. Although the original proposal included an airport motel and car rental service building, just the main passenger terminal was built. The terminal building was circular in design. The first floor area was 25,900 square feet and featured facilities for airline check-in and information booths, car rental counters, newsstand and gift shop, lobby, barber shop, administrative offices, and baggage claim area.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on June 16, 1967. In 2012 a new MBS Airport was built nearby, leaving the Tri-City Airport largely vacant. It was eventually demolished in 2017.
Tags: built in the 1960s, airport, tri-city, demolished, commercial structure, Freeland, Michigan, architectural models