Mayor excludes FAA from hearing on closing Burke Lakefront

The LAPP—made up of AOPA and a number of airport businesses, schools, and stakeholders—said the community is not getting the full picture after the April 1 hearing, which was the third in a series of four hearings held by the city council’s Transportation and Mobility Committee.

The hearing, entitled “The Regulatory Path to Closure,” highlighted the “multi-year federal process” to close an airport. However, Bibb’s staff did not invite the FAA to the hearing, even though federal law was at the center of the discussion.

Council members heard about three possible paths to closing the airport:

• Wait for current federal and state grant obligations to expire in 2034 and 2039, respectively.
• Apply for closure with the FAA, which requires that the city prove the closure is a “net benefit to aviation.”
• Pursue federal legislation to close the airport, circumventing the typical process.

“It’s irresponsible for Mayor Bibb to not ask the FAA to take part in this hearing,” said AOPA Great Lakes Regional Manager Kyle Lewis. “Each hearing up until today has focused on the local implications of closing the airport, but Cleveland has never closed an airport—and not seeking the input of those who control that process is a disservice to taxpayers.

“Between the mayor’s ‘hypothetical concepts’ for the site, suggesting the Cleveland National Air Show could continue, and indicating that air traffic controllers would welcome tens of thousands more flights at [Cleveland Hopkins International Airport]—an already-busy airport—it’s clear that the mayor has worked hard to create a false narrative that is not gaining public support,” added Lewis.

Several council members mentioned the mayor’s concepts about what could replace Burke. Councilman Michael Polensek said residents he’s met with “are laughing at” the plans. He also scolded the mayor's office for neglecting investment in Burke Lakefront while pursuing its closure, rather than focusing on creating jobs and revenue for the city as it faces a number of challenges.

“The LAPP has said from the beginning the airport site can’t be used for large developments that the mayor used to talk about. The mayor’s own concepts suggest he now recognizes that the airport—much of which sits on an old landfill—isn’t going to deliver the results that were initially promised,” said Lewis.

The LAPP also highlighted the Cleveland National Air Show’s announcement that it will cease operations if Burke Lakefront closes.

In a letter to city officials, the show's organizers said they had researched and received extensive input from airshow experts and concluded that the event “is not operationally feasible or financially sustainable” without Burke Lakefront Airport.

“Everyone from Mayor Bibb to members of Congress to many city council members all agree the city should keep the Air Show, but the Air Show has done its due diligence—it's just not possible,” said Lewis.

Councilman Charles Slife announced a fifth hearing, to be held after the current series concludes on April 15, to hear from airport stakeholders and the aviation industry.

“We appreciate Councilman Slife’s commitment to hearing both sides,” said Lewis. “There’s an easy solution here—the mayor should work with airport operators and aviation stakeholders. There is a lot of interest in discussing the future of Burke Lakefront—with more access for residents, and with increased investment from many existing businesses and operators.”