CLEVELAND — The city of Cleveland has released a pair of studies that seemingly lay the groundwork towards closing Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) amid decades of discussion and speculation about the future of the 77-year-old downtown business airport.
One study prepared by CHA Consulting lays out the potential options for closing Burke, while the the other report from EConsult Solutions Inc., explores both the economical impact of shuttering the airport as well as redevelopment scenarios.
“These studies are crucial in helping us understand the feasibility and potential benefits of transforming Burke Lakefront Airport into a space that better serves our community,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb in a release. “The findings have reinforced my long-held belief that closing Burke is both possible and economically advantageous for Cleveland.”
In its release, the city says that while "studies provide valuable insights, the decision to close Burke has not yet been made."
"In addition to engaging with stakeholders, there is a formal application process with the FAA that has not begun. The city will continue to work closely with the FAA and other partners to carefully evaluate the findings and explore a responsible path forward," the release added.
THE FINANCIAL IMPACT
The study prepared by EConsult Solutions Inc., states that currently, "approximately $76.6 million of direct economic activity takes place at BKL annually. This activity includes airport operations, private passenger service, medical transport, flight training, and non-aviation related activity that uses the BKL for office space."
In its release, the city termed the current economic impact of BKL as "relatively small."
"The majority of this economic activity can transfer to other locations in the City of Cleveland or Cuyahoga County and would remain in the market if the airport were to close. We estimate that $45.1 million of economic activity would remain in the City of Cleveland and $67.0 million would remain in Cuyahoga County. Accordingly, $31.5 million of economic activity would not remain in the City of Cleveland, and $9.6 million would not remain in Cuyahoga County," the study added.
In addition, the study says Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF) "could absorb most of BKL’s airport-related activities, including private passenger service, medical transport, or flight training, which make up more than 50 percent of BKL’s economic impact."
Since 1964, Burke Lakefront Airport has hosted the annual Cleveland National Air Show. The study says "approximately one third of the true economic loss of closing BKL is due to the expected cessation of the Cleveland National Air Show, which cannot transfer to any airport in the County in its current form."
WHAT COULD BE NEXT?
If Burke Lakefront Airport is closed, how could planners redevelop the approximately 445 acres of land along the lakefront? The study came up with three potential options:
Minimal Development - This scenario serves as the baseline low-intensity development potential that could occur on the BKL site in the event of closure, focusing on recreational and green spaces. It envisions the creation of a 170-acre urban park, supplemented by 30 additional acres of outdoor sports fields and courts and a 145,000-square-foot indoor sports complex.
The study says that under this scenario, $3 million of direct economic impact would be generated every year
Maximum Development - This scenario outlines a more intensive utilization of the BKL site. It is not a full build-out of the entire 245-acre site but rather the most extensive development feasible under existing market dynamics. This scenario includes a 170-acre park, 30 acres of playing fields, 1,200 residential units, 100,000 square feet of retail and a 100-room boutique hotel.
The study says under this scenario, $46.9 million of direct economic impact could come to Cleveland each year.
Hybrid Development - This scenario considers development that may be possible while BKL continues to operate. The scenario includes the construction of a 100-room boutique hotel, catering to airport users and visitors.
Under the "hybrid development option," building a hotel near BKL as it continues to operate would generate $6.5 million in direct economic impact.
Read more of the "Valuing Burke Lakefront Airport" study below.
OPTIONS FOR CLOSING THE AIRPORT
Here were the three scenarios for closing Burke Lakefront Airport that were laid out by CHA Consulting:
Option 1 -- Wait Out Grant Obligations: Under this option, the city would defer closure until the federal grant obligations expire in 2036 and ODOT, Office of Aviation assurances in 2039
Option 2: Apply to FAA to close BKL now
Option 3: Federal Legislation: Pursuing federal legislation through the U.S. Congress can be a means to bypass FAA requirements to close an airport. Working with the legislative branch of the government, legislation can be passed directing the FAA to close the Airport. Although this may seem like the quickest route to close an airport, it does require substantial lobbying to elected representatives, the legislation would have to be introduced and selected for a vote, and lastly, it would need to pass.
According to 3News partner SignalCleveland, Cleveland officials have met with the FAA about potentially closing Burke. That includes a meeting between Bibb and the agency’s associate administrator of airports in May.
As SignalCleveland's Nick Castele wrote, "so far, the FAA does not sound enthusiastic about the idea."
Castele adds that if the airport closed, Cleveland would have to repay about $10 million in federal grant money. Those grants require the city to keep Burke open.
You can read more of CHA Consulting's study below:
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Speaking to 3News on Monday, City Council President Blaine Griffin pumped the brakes on any grand plans, at least for now.
"What can we build there? What actually is feasible to build there?" he asked. "I think this is a starting point."
You see, the airport is built on a landfill, and the studies do not address engineering or environmental challenges.
Griffin points to the doomed City View Center in Garfield Heights. Built on a landfill, it suffered from concerns over methane gas.
"I think there's some unintentional things that we need to look at," Griffin said.
THE BACKGROUND
During his campaign to become mayor of Cleveland in 2021, Justin Bibb told 3News that he was in favor of closing the airport. Since taking office, he has taken a careful approach to Burke's future.
“By conducting a thorough economic impact analysis we can make data-informed, thoughtful decisions to ensure best use of our lakefront property,” Bibb said in 2022 when the city first announced it was looking for a consultant.
In April 2023, Epstein confirmed to 3News that the city retained EConsult Solutions Inc., a firm based in Philadelphia, for the task of examining "the current economic impact of Burke, as well as the future economic impact potential which could be generated from the property should the City choose to close the airport. This is not an analysis which the City has undertaken before, to our knowledge."
Epstein added that the study is "part of the City’s broader strategy to maximize one of our greatest assets – our waterfronts. We are investing in projects to advance access to our lakefront from downtown to Collinwood, and to improve access to the Cuyahoga River as well. The potential closure of Burke would be a longer term strategic move to open up more of our lakefront to public access and use."
In recent years, Burke has served mainly as a corporate airport for business executives as well as a site for medical transport. The last remaining commercial carrier, Ultimate Air Shuttle, suspended service at BKL in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Burke Lakefront Airport is also often the preferred landing site for visiting professional sports teams' charter flights. Several flight schools utilize the airport, which is also home to the International Women's Air & Space Museum.
Since 1964, Burke Lakefront Airport has hosted the annual Cleveland National Air Show. From 1982 to 2007, BKL was also the site of the Grand Prix of Cleveland Indy car race in the CART series (later Champ Car).