Cleveland race airport to remain open

Burke Lakefront Airport will remain open and there are plans for commercial development on its eastern and western edges, city officials said.
Percy Dangerfield, chief of staff to city airport director Ricky Smith, told the City Council's Aviation and Transportation Committee this morning that Smith would recommend the airport remain open. Councilman Kevin Kelley, the committee chairman, said: "We are very pleased the debate is over."

Today's announcement ends months of speculation about the future of the 450-acre airport. Some felt it would be best to close the airport and merge its operations with Cuyahoga County Airport. Others suggested the opposite — closing the county airport and merging operations at Burke.

At a public forum in August, officials said keeping the airport open would require major improvements, such as possibly adding a runway.

Councilman Joe Cimperman said Tuesday there's discussion now underway on how to add commercial development to Burke's eastern and western edges. Cleveland.com