The city of Detroit plans to invest $4 million in the Coleman A. Young International Airport to replace its main runway this spring.

The capital improvement project could start as early as next month, weather permitting, and will close the airport for around three days, said Tyrone Clifton, director of the Detroit Building Authority. Dates have not been set.

"The runway is reaching the end of its useful life," Clifton said. "It needs to be looked at, evaluated and maintained per FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) standards."

The city's investment in the airport signals a commitment to the 264-acre property as an airport, rather than an industrial or mobility park, as have been suggested by Mayor Mike Duggan's administration as potential redevelopments. The city seeks to stem losses at the airport, which hasn't had commercial passenger airline service since 2000 and has been operating in the red for many years.

In fiscal year 2017, the airport's total revenue was $1.76 million, with $2.3 million in expenditures — a $559,448 deficit shouldered by taxpayers.

In addition to replacing the asphalt on the larger of the two runways, crews will also install new LED lighting on the runway as part of an airportwide modernization effort that started a couple years ago, Clifton said. About $900,000 has been invested in new lighting.

Canton-based Cadillac Asphalt was hired as the general contractor for the runway project after an RFP was issued in June. Clifton said he had hoped the project would be done last year, but poor weather pushed it back.

The new runway and lighting is being funded through the city's general fund, beyond the recommended 2018-19 budget of $2.21 million for the airport. The Detroit Building Authority was contracted by the city in October to administer the runway replacement project.

Clifton said the department is working with airport officials and the FAA on scheduling a closure that will hopefully result in the least disruption, likely a Friday-Sunday. Ripping up the old asphalt and installing the new runway – to consist of a 10 inch sand sub-base, 8 inch aggregate base and 4-6 inch asphalt surface – will take only a few days. However, the project and disruptions to the runway will continue for six-eight weeks as crews add striping, grooving and signage.

The runway was last replaced in 1998, Clifton said. The new one is expected to last 20 years.

No serious redevelopment bids have been publicly proposed for the airport since the city said it would explore the option. Some City Council members have been outspoken about maintaining the facility for general aviation, and a consultant issued a report last year advising against redevelopment.