Airport neighbors win victory in court

by Dan Olson, Minnesota Public Radio

A Hennepin County judge has ruled thousands of Minneapolis homeowners upset with aircraft noise will get their day in court.

St. Paul, Minn. — Judge Stephen Aldrich Wednesday denied a request by the Metropolitan Airports Commission to dismiss a class action suit.

The Minneapolis homeowners who are part of the class argue the MAC has reneged on a promise to pay for noise mitigation in their homes.

The fix includes new doors, windows and air conditioning, and can cost nearly $40,000 per house. Trial in the suit is set for early May.

The case is progressing alongside another lawsuit that was filed on behalf of the cities of Minneapolis, Richfield and Eagan.