A land speculator who has fought numerous legal battles with the City of Detroit will be paid $444,135 to give up 28 vacant properties near the municipal airport.
The City Council authorized a legal settlement with Michael Kelly after he rejected two lower offers to sell land the city needs to upgrade Coleman A. Young Municipal Airport. The acquisition is part of an ongoing “French Road Mini-Take Project” where Detroit has used eminent domain to expand the airport’s runway.
Kelly was given an initial offer of $74,600 based on an appraisal of a handful of the properties, according to city records. The city increased the offer to $235,086 but Kelly held out, claiming the properties are worth significantly more.
Detroit’s Law Department argued a settlement avoids “the uncertainty” of a jury trial, since it could determine Kelly is owed more than $444,135. None of the properties include occupied homes. They’re owned by various limited liability companies connected to Kelly.
Airport Director Jason Watt said during Tuesday’s meeting that the federal government is covering the bulk of the cost because it required Detroit to obtain the property.
Watt said the runway expansion will advance the city’s development plans for the airport, which includes a new air traffic control tower, chartered helicopter tours and the return of Davis Aerospace Technical High School.
Kelly owned 283 properties across Detroit in 2025, according to data collected by Property Praxis. His attorney declined to comment when reached by the Detroit Free Press.