CLEVELAND — After decades of debate, the city of Cleveland could be closer to a decision on whether to close Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL), as two studies commissioned by the city near completion.
The city confirmed to 3News Thursday that one study will give leaders a clearer picture of Burke’s economic impact. The other looks at the regulatory and technical considerations of closing the 77-year-old airport.
For as long as Larry Rohl has been taking off from BKL, there have been those looking to ground all flights for good.
"I’ve been here for 47 years and the conversation has been going for 47 years,” he said outside of his office at Burke.
That’s one reason why Rohl, who is the owner of T&G Flying Club, isn’t too concerned about this latest debate over the airport’s fate. His club trains hundreds of pilots a year out of Burke. They currently have seven airplanes parked there.
“As I say, it’s always sunny in my office,” he said.
Before taking office, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb told 3News he was in favor of shutting down the airport to make room a new development along the lake. He has since continued to express interest in its closure, prompting the city to hire two consultants to study the airport. The city told 3News Thursday that the studies are still in draft form and nearly complete.
"A few years ago we would have liked to build some hangars down here, but it's very difficult when you have this type of back and forth — is the airport going to stay or is it not going to stay," Rohl said.
He understands why many find the nearly 450-acre plot the airport sits on attractive.
“People dream about what it could be,” he said. “You have your people that say this would make a great park.”
“But I say you can go behind here and close route two, send all the traffic down Euclid. Haha. But we all have our own special interests.”
Today, traffic in and out of the runway include pilots-in-training, business executives, sports teams, medical transportation and, of course, Cleveland's annual National Air Show since 1964.
“It’s not just us. If it was just a training airport, c’est la vie. It’s gone,” Rohl said. “This is what we call a reliever airport. Hopkins couldn’t take the traffic that comes in and out of here.”
With Burke’s future still up in the air, Rohl and his team will continue to do what they’ve always done, hoping there will always be a place to land in the city of Cleveland.
“I don’t think the conversation will end. I don’t think the airport’s ever going to disappear,” he said.
When the studies are complete, the city said it will engage with stakeholders and review the results, beginning with Cleveland City Council.