Since Burke Lakefront Airport opened in 1947, how many times has Cleveland floated the idea of closing it and opening the land to the public? Every time, the idea has been quashed. Now, two studies commissioned by Mayor Justin Bibb – who has long argued Burke should be closed – conclude that redeveloping the area would be an economic win. That would require housing, retail and other commercial development, not just a park. And it would mean repaying $10 million to the state and federal government, and winning what could be a difficult approval process from the Federal Aviation Administration or Congress. Currently, Burke generates about $77 million in “direct economic activity,” about a third of that from the Cleveland National Air Show. However, it loses nearly $1 million every year to operate. The airport’s 40,000-plus landings and takeoffs in 2021 represented a nearly 60% drop from those in 2000. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
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The actual process of closing Burke Lakefront Airport – if Cleveland indeed chooses to close it – would come with numerous hurdles, including legal challenges that could last years. (John Pana, cleveland.com file photo) |
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Burke’s future: The studies lay out the costs and benefits of closing Burke Lakefront Airport and how Cleveland might go about it – but they do not take a position on whether the airport should close, Courtney Astolfi reports. Property taxes: The potential for Cuyahoga County to give back some property taxes to help struggling residents was short-lived. Kaitlin Durbin reports the county started 2024 with an unbalanced budget, with expenses outspending revenue by about $11 million, and county finances are on pace to be “$11 million in the hole” again in 2025. The budget office worried that a rollback could impact county bonds. Double down: As bomb threats have closed schools, colleges, hospitals and government buildings in Springfield, Ohio, state and national Republicans doubled down last weekend on unsubstantiated rumors that Haitian migrants in the small Ohio city are eating house pets and wild geese, reports Jake Zuckerman. Meanwhile, Jeremy Pelzer reports the State Highway Patrol will conduct daily bomb sweeps of Springfield schools and set up camera towers because of the multiple threats. No evidence: Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said Monday there’s no evidence to support the claim that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are eating stolen dogs, cats and geese, Jake Zuckerman reports. Today in Ohio: We had no Today in Ohio on Monday but plan to return this week. |
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Redistricting issue: The Ohio Ballot Board must make minor revisions to language that will appear on general election ballots as voters consider a proposal to reform the state’s redistricting process, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Monday. Rick Rouan and Jeremy Pelzer report the ruling says the language is largely consistent with the amendment. But the court ordered revisions on two sections: one describing when a lawsuit can be filed to challenge a redistricting plan and another about the public’s ability to give input to mapmakers. Retail crime: Citing a rise in brazen “violent attacks in retail stores throughout the country” by organized retail crime, U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce last week led a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate the fight against criminal networks responsible for the thefts, reports Sabrina Eaton. PUCO: Enbridge, the utility for many Northeast Ohioans formerly known as Dominion Energy, is seeking to increase natural gas bills by $13 each month, reports Sean McDonnell. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is holding public hearings in Cleveland on Wednesday, Akron on Thursday and in Lima next Monday. |
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College merger: The presidents of Ursuline College and Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, announced Monday they had signed a letter of intent to merge institutions, reports Laura Hancock. The move, which is contingent on the successful completion of due diligence, will create an institution with about 6,000 students, 1,300 employees and campuses in three states – Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. Once complete, it will be the largest Catholic university system in the region. Ketanji Brown Jackson: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said during an appearance in Cleveland on Monday that the public’s eroding trust in the court as an institution poses “a problem” for the justices. Cory Shaffer reports Jackson was asked during a City Club of Cleveland forum about a recent survey that showed the nation’s confidence in the Court had dropped 22% between 2019 and 2022. Job fair: Global Cleveland is set to host its International Job and Resource fair on Thursday, specifically designed to connect immigrants, refugees and international students with international-friendly employers in Northeast Ohio. |
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TeamBirth: Cleveland-area hospitals are embracing the idea that it takes a team led by a mom to deliver a healthy baby. Julie Washington reports that instead of having physicians make all the decisions — leaving birthing women feeling unheard — TeamBirth prioritizes teamwork, ensures every mom has a voice in their birth experience and encourages caregivers to spot birthing problems early. |
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Stabbing trial: Bionca Ellis, the woman accused of fatally stabbing a 3-year-old boy in a North Olmsted grocery store in June, is incompetent to stand trial, reports Olivia Mitchell. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John Russo said Ellis, 33, of Cleveland, is incapable of defending herself at trial. Murder conviction: A Cleveland man was found guilty Monday in the slayings of four people on the city’s East Side in 2019. A Cuyahoga County jury convicted Terrell Silver, 35, of aggravated murder in the deaths of Aiyanna Quitman, 19; Dejuan Damar Willis, 20; Christopher Monroe, 23; and Jazmyne Lawson, 18. Security shooting: A 19-year-old man was killed Sunday by a security guard in Coventry Township, according to Summit County sheriff’s deputies. Olivia Mitchell reports the office of the Summit County medical examiner identified the victim as Jayvon Jones-Dehart of Orrville. Painesville slaying: A Painesville man is facing a first-degree murder charge after police say he shot his father to death. Christopher Paul Farmer, 23, pleaded not guilty during his Monday arraignment in Painesville Municipal Court and is being held without bond, Lucas Daprile reports. Prosecutor lawsuit: A defense attorney has sued Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley’s office over records sought in a criminal probe into a man who was cleared of murder charges after spending 15 years in prison. Adam Ferrise reports Kimberly Corral, a lawyer who helped secure Ru-El Sailor’s exoneration in 2018, accused O’Malley’s office of improperly trying to gain access to recorded prison calls that she argued are protected by attorney-client privilege. |
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Ask Lucas: What if your girlfriend won’t stop play-biting you? Lucas Daprile writes that you’ll have to develop your own annoying habit you can leverage against her to stop the biting. Cedar Point: Cedar Point is teasing a new attraction, likely with a water theme. An announcement is planned for Thursday, reports Susan Glaser. Sessanta Festival: Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan is bringing two of his side projects, the theatrical Puscifer and the alt-metal collective A Perfect Circle, along with beloved oddball alt-rockers Primus to the Sessanta Festival at Blossom Music Center in May 2025, Malcom X Abram reports. Chef to watch: Liu Fang, the head chef/owner of Abundance Culinary, was recently recognized by Plate Magazine as one of their Chefs to Watch of 2024. Alex Darus reports Fang was part of Plate Magazine’s 10th class of Chefs to Watch, an annual list that recognizes up-and-coming chefs who they anticipate will continue to grow in their comprehensive culinary careers. Masa & Agave: Masa & Agave Cantina has opened quietly this month in The Westin Cleveland Downtown. Paris Wolfe reports that Masa & Agave is one of two such concepts developed by Apicii, a national hospitality group behind a diverse portfolio of restaurants, bars and private event spaces nationwide. Gaming Classic: Ohio’s largest weekend of all things gaming, the Cleveland Gaming Classic, returns to the I-X Center this weekend, Peter Chakerian reports. Held Friday through Sunday, it promises to be a nostalgia overload – replete with 300 vendor tables, rare video and tabletop games, toys, RPGs, comics, collectibles and more. Armenian Festival: The long-running Armenian Festival returns to St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in Richmond Heights this weekend, Peter Chakerian reports. |
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Lakewood native falls short in defense of ‘Jeopardy!’ title Read more UH Parma Medical Center gets $700,000 from state toward opening new breast cancer center Read more ‘Lone Sailor’ statue celebrated before its relocation Read more Rocky River celebrates the arts at annual fall festival Read more Cuyahoga Valley Career Center in Brecksville wins final approval for $12.2 million addition Read more Mentor to host Fall into Health and Wellness fair Oct. 12 Read more American Legion donates $10,000 to Avon Lake food pantry Read more Berea City Schools emphasizes commitment to students’ mental health Read more |
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