10-03-2025
What's being built near Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport?
Construction crews have broken ground on a new multi-million dollar air cargo facility at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
Formerly used by the 440th Airlift Wing of the Air Force Reserve, the new 337,000-square foot facility will feature a dedicated air cargo building, a new Milwaukee County maintenance facility and enhancements to adjacent taxiways, according to an airport news release.
Here's a look at the latest development on the project.
Dallas, Texas-based Crow Holdings is developing the facility, which will have the ability to accommodate five B747-400 aircraft at the same time and expects to generate over $1.3 million in annual aircraft landing fees and more than $1 million in annual ground lease rents and fees, according to the release.
"When this project is complete, building and suppliers will be able to transport their raw materials and finished products in and out of Wisconsin more quickly and efficiently," said Airport Director Brain Dranzik in a statement.
"This investment will lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs and have a major economic impact for our community," added Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in a statement.
The former 440th campus was turned over to the airport in 2008. Since then, some of the buildings are currently used by the airport, while others were leased to short-term tenants. The 440th unit relocated to North Carolina in 2007.
The new facility is estimated to be completed in 2026, according to the release.
High levels of "forever chemicals" were previously detected at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, and were linked to the use of firefighting foam used to put out high-temperature fires like those that would occur when jet fuel ignites.
As construction moves forward on the project, airport officials are working together with the developer, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Air force to mitigate any PFAS contamination at that location, spokesperson Harold Mester wrote to the Journal Sentinel.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What's being built at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport?
