Delete WardJan 13, 2026
Councilman Charles Slife, Chair of City Council’s Transportation and Mobility Committee, today announced a comprehensive series of public hearings to learn more about the administration’s proposed closure of Burke Lakefront Airport. Starting January 21, 2026, these sessions aim to provide a transparent, data-driven evaluation of the long-term feasibility of redeveloping the 450-acre site.
Councilman Slife emphasizes that any final decision to close the airport rests with a majority vote of City Council.
"The future of Burke Lakefront Airport is one of the most significant land-use decisions in our city’s history," said Councilman Slife. "Renderings of parks and mixed-use developments are inspiring, but my committee’s responsibility is to the taxpayers. We must look beyond the aesthetics and scrutinize the legal, budgetary, and infrastructural realities of any proposal for the site. Our goal is to determine if closure is not just desirable, but practical and financially responsible."
The committee’s oversight is critical following the Haslam Sports Group's recent support for Burke Lakefront’s closure, linked to the City Council-approved settlement to dismiss legal battles over the Cleveland Browns’ relocation to Brook Park. The upcoming hearings will be organized into four key pillars of inquiry:
Hearing Schedule and Topics
January 21: Expenses and Obstacles to Development The committee will examine the legal and physical hurdles of the site. Much of the airport consists of "fill" land subject to complex state regulations and Charter prohibitions against selling lakefront property. The committee will investigate the massive infrastructure costs required to support new development, specifically the challenges of pumping sewage upslope to the existing network and the electric capacity of the shoreline.
February 4: Budget Implications and the General Fund Burke currently operates as an enterprise fund, meaning it is self-sustaining through its own revenues and subsidies from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. A transition to a non-airport use—such as a public park—would shift the cost of city services onto the General Fund. This session will ask whether the city can absorb these new expenses without jeopardizing routine services like police, fire, and other basic services.
April 1: The Regulatory Path to Closure Closing an airport is a multi-year federal process. The committee will hear testimony on the risks of a "Chicago-style" overnight closure versus a methodical wind-down. Discussions will focus on FAA reliever status, the needs of medical institutions and the Federal Reserve, and the potential for costly litigation or the repayment of federal grants.
April 15: Market Absorption and Real-World Appeal The final session will address the regional real estate market. In a region with stagnant population growth, the committee will explore whether the market can actually absorb 450 acres of new development and if such a project would simply extract value from other parts of the city.
"We cannot afford to close an airport for a redevelopment project that the market cannot sustain or the City cannot afford to maintain," Slife added. "Clevelanders deserve an open conversation about the timelines and costs associated with this vision."
All hearings will be held at Cleveland City Hall and will be open to the public.
###
About the Transportation and Mobility Committee: The Committee on Transportation and Mobility conducts budgetary and policy oversight of Cleveland’s Department of Port Control, including Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Burke Lakefront Airport, ensuring that transportation assets are managed in the best interest of Cleveland’s taxpayers.