Reports: Closing Burke Lakefront Airport would have minimal economic impact
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Two city-backed studies released Monday contend the economic and aeronautic impacts of closing Burke Lakefront Airport would be negligible.
Why it matters: Though the long-awaited studies make no recommendation regarding the future of the prime real estate on Lake Erie, the studies provide Mayor Justin Bibb cover should he pursue its closing.
What they're saying: "The findings have reinforced my long-held belief that closing Burke is both possible and economically advantageous for Cleveland," Bibb said in a statement.
- Jeff Epstein, the mayor's chief of integrated development, told Signal Cleveland that Bibb would prefer to close Burke "if it's feasible."
By the numbers: The airport is responsible for nearly $77 million in direct economic activity every year, the analysis by Philadelphia-based Econsult Solutions finds.
- That includes private passenger service, aviation training, medical transport and office space rental.
- The study estimates that $45 million of that would remain in the city and $67 million would remain in Cuyahoga County should the airport close.
Between the lines: Nearly one-third of what the report calls "true economic loss" would come from losing the Cleveland Air Show.
- Unlike private airlines, which can relocate to Hopkins or other regional airports, the Air Show could not be feasibly re-created anywhere in the region.
Zoom in: The study envisions three development scenarios for the land:
- A 170-acre park with tennis courts and other recreational facilities, plus a 145,000-square-foot indoor athletic center.
- A mixed-use development with 1,200 residential units, 100,000 square feet of retail, and a boutique hotel alongside greenspace.
- Keeping Burke open and building a 100-room boutique hotel — a slimmed-down version of former Councilman Zack Reed's plan when he ran for mayor in 2021.
The intrigue: A complementary study by Albany-based CHA Consulting assesses the logistical hurdles and financial obligations Cleveland would incur by closing Burke.
- It considers a long-term path (waiting to close until federal grants expire in 2036); a short-term path (seeking FAA approval to close Burke early and pay back roughly $9 million in grants); and a legislative workaround, which would require lobbying and successful passage.
The bottom line: No decision has been made, and City Hall says it will continue to work with the FAA and local stakeholders to evaluate the latest findings.