Cleveland Hopkins breaks ground on new Gold Lot
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Rendering: Courtesy of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport broke ground Wednesday on the first piece of its $1.6 billion transformation.
Why it matters: Work on the new 1,600-space Gold Lot marks the public launch of CLEvolution, the ambitious modernization plan that will culminate in a new terminal opening in 2032.
Driving the news: City and airport leaders gathered to celebrate the start of construction on the lot, which will replace parking displaced by future phases of the airport overhaul.
- The lot will connect to the terminal via a covered walkway and shuttle and is expected to open in spring 2027.
The big picture: The Gold Lot kicks off a multi-year, multi-phase continuous construction project that will allow Hopkins to remain fully operational for the duration.
- Once the new Gold Lot opens, the current Orange Lot will close to make way for a new multi-level parking garage and a relocated RTA Red Line station.
What they're saying: "Today marks more than the start of construction," said Cleveland director of port control Bryant Francis at a press conference.
- "It marks momentum. It marks progress. And it marks our continued investment in this airport and the economic strength of Northeast Ohio."
Also: Both Francis and Mayor Justin Bibb thanked city chief operating officer Bonnie Teeuwen for her leadership on the CLEvolution project.
- Teeuwen was one of Bibb's first cabinet-level hires and is retiring from her City Hall post this week.
What's next: Airport officials expect to present a financing agreement to airlines early next year as design work continues.
- Francis said he expected to host another groundbreaking ceremony for the parking garage in about nine months.