Cleveland Debates Burke Lakefront Airport Redevelopment Plans

Mayor Bibb's team pitches privately-financed vision, but City Council remains skeptical about lack of public incentives.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:39pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of an empty runway at Burke Lakefront Airport, with the city skyline visible in the distance. Warm, muted tones and deep shadows create a contemplative, nostalgic mood, reflecting the ongoing debate over the airport's future.The future of Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport remains uncertain as city leaders debate how to balance public access and private development.Cleveland Today

Mayor Justin Bibb's administration has presented a $600 million vision for redeveloping the city-owned Burke Lakefront Airport, featuring a youth sports complex, RV camping, and a golf course that they claim could be privately financed without public incentives. However, several City Council members have expressed skepticism, arguing that developers typically require tax breaks and other public support to build such projects.

Why it matters

The future of Burke Lakefront Airport is a major development decision for Cleveland, with the potential to transform a large swath of valuable lakefront property. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between the city's desire to maximize public access and amenities versus the need to attract private investment and development.

The details

Mayor Bibb's team, led by Deputy Chief of Staff Jessica Trivisonno and officials from the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, pitched a vision that would balance public access, economic impact, and private financing. They argued that developments like a youth sports complex and RV campground could be profitable enough to attract private investment without public incentives. However, several council members, including Mike Polensek and Charles Slife, expressed doubt that developers would build without tax breaks or other public support.

  • In October 2026, Mayor Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne sent a letter to Congress asking for help to close Burke Lakefront Airport.
  • City Council has held four hearings so far to discuss the future of Burke Lakefront Airport.

The players

Justin Bibb

The mayor of Cleveland who has presented a vision for redeveloping Burke Lakefront Airport.

Jessica Trivisonno

Bibb's deputy chief of staff and lead on development efforts for Burke Lakefront Airport.

Mike Polensek

A Cleveland City Council member who expressed skepticism about developers building at Burke without public incentives.

Charles Slife

A Cleveland City Council member who called for hearings to fully understand Burke's potential closure and future redevelopment.

Tom McNair

Director of Integrated Development for the City of Cleveland.

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What they’re saying

“It's either TIFs, or tax abatements, and everything else they can get.”

— Mike Polensek, Cleveland City Council member

“Is this something that the voters of the city of Cleveland support?”

— Charles Slife, Cleveland City Council member

“I want my grandkids and my great grandkids to have more to enjoy than I had in my time. A lot of things are going to happen here whether we like it or not. But we just need to understand the process of how this will happen.”

— Deborah Gray, Cleveland City Council member

What’s next

City Council will continue to hold hearings and debate the future of Burke Lakefront Airport, with a focus on ensuring any redevelopment plans serve the needs of Cleveland residents.

The takeaway

The debate over Burke Lakefront Airport's future highlights the ongoing tension in Cleveland between maximizing public access and amenities versus attracting private investment through tax incentives and other public support. The mayor's team will need to further demonstrate how their vision can balance these competing priorities to gain City Council's support.