Burke Lakefront Airport Master Plan Update

Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL) is owned and operated by the City of Cleveland, Department of Port Control (DPC).  BKL is a designated general aviation reliever airport for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and is located adjacent to the Lake Erie shoreline in downtown Cleveland. 

The DPC is examining the role that BKL serves in Northeastern Ohio and the Department’s options for the potential redevelopment and realignment of its aeronautical infrastructure.   To this end, several analyses have been identified by the DPC to address the various issues associated with the airport and its future development.  These analyses include:

• A comparative review of the role and capabilities of General Aviation Airports serving demand in Northeast Ohio, and
• An airport master plan update including an airport plans package for submittal to the FAA

The initial step in the process consists of assessing the need, functionality and role of BKL in the NE Ohio aviation system and the second step will involve updating the airport master plan for BKL.
An Airport Master Plan provides a road map for efficiently meeting aviation demand through the foreseeable future while preserving the flexibility necessary to respond to changing industry conditions. At this website you will find the latest information on the Master Plan Update for BKL.

Master Plan Update

The City of Cleveland Department of Port Control (DPC) has begun the preparation of a new Airport Master Plan Update for the Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL). At this website you will find the latest information on the Master Plan Update Study and its findings, including dates of public meetings and links to Draft and Final documents as they become available.

What is an Airport Master Plan?
PURPOSE
 An airport master plan provides a road map for efficiently meeting aviation demand through the foreseeable future while preserving the flexibility necessary to respond to changing industry conditions. The general goals and objectives addressed by an airport master plan include the following:

• To provide a framework for long-range planning (2030)
• To graphically present preferred airport development concepts
• To define the purpose and need for development projects
• To comply with all applicable FAA requirements
• To enable the airport to achieve its mission
• To assure compatible land use development
• To support the financial health of one of a City’s most powerful economic engines
• To identify facility requirements for all airport users

The definition of a successful master plan includes the following characteristics:

• Financially feasible - the phasing of the plan's capital projects should be aligned with identified need and the ability to secure available funding
• Environmentally compatible - the plan should minimize potential environmental impacts
• Balanced - the plan should maintain a balance between airport development needs and community impacts
• Technically sound - the plan should comply with Federal, State, and local requirements and it should be able to be constructed efficiently and cost effectively
• Responsive - the plan should address the physical and operational needs of stakeholders
• Flexible - the plan should consider changes in industry dynamics which will enable BKLCVG to be responsive and prospers

The Master Plan process provides a blueprint for the future. The future plan is just that, a plan, and will only be implemented as warranted by actual activity. The recommendations contained in a Master Plan are contingent upon further environmental study and must be financially feasible.

COMPONENTS
The Airport Master Plan process is guided by the FAA and ultimately results in projections of future growth and preparation of an Airport Layout Plan (ALP). An ALP is a graphic representation of the proposed future airport development and is required at all federally obligated airports.

The components of a master plan vary in complexity and degree of application, depending on the size, function and challenges of the individual airport. In the case of the BKL Master Plan Update, the major elements of the study are as follows:

• Define Role and Function of BKL in Northeast Ohio Airport System
• Inventory of Existing Conditions
• Aviation Activity Forecasts
• Demand/Capacity Analysis
• Airport Facility Requirements Assessment
• Development of Airport Alternatives
• Prepare Airport Layout Plan
• Airport Capital Improvement Program

The DPC has also elected to pursue a Public Involvement process that will keep all public, stakeholder, and agency entities apprised of the study's progress and provide an opportunity for input and a vehicle for questions/comments.

Public Involvement

The City of Cleveland Department of Port Control (DPC) has elected to pursue a coordination process that will keep all public, stakeholder, and agency entities apprised of the study's progress and provide an opportunity for input and a vehicle for questions/comments.
 
How Can I Participate/Comment?
Public Workshops - General Information
The Master Plan Process is designed as an inclusive process that encourages citizen participation. There will be a series of Public Workshops held throughout the course of the Master Plan Update to provide the public the opportunity to comment on the study and its findings.

Public Workshop Format
The workshops will be an open-house format, so the public can come at any time during the posted hours.  Representatives of the airport and the consultant team will be available at various stations to address questions or to discuss specific issues regarding the study. The stations will be organized by topic and will include presentation boards describing the topic.  In addition to the stations, handouts summarizing the information at the workshop will be provided to the public.
The public will also have the opportunity to make written comments regarding each study and its findings. All of the comments received from the workshops will be reviewed by the DPC and the consultant team and incorporated into the process. 

Locations and Dates
The Public Workshops will be held at key milestones during the study process.  As the locations, dates, and times are determined for the Public Workshops, the website will be updated.  The workshops will also be advertised in the Plain Dealer, Sun News, and Call & Post, as well as on the local news stations.

8-2-07 and 8-8-07 Public Workshop Handout

Public Workshop #3
Location: Burke Lakefront Airport Terminal Building, 1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland, Ohio
Date: October 16, 2007
Time: 4-7pm (Evening)

10-16-07 Public Workshop Handout

CONTACT US

Master Plan Update Comments
At any time during the Master Plan Update, the public may make comments regarding the study to the DPC via the World Wide Web:
http://www.clevelandairport.com/site/387/Default.aspx
Or by the Unites States Postal Service:

Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (BKL)
Mr. Khalid Bahhur
Commissioner Burke Lakefront Airport
1501 North Marginal Drive
Cleveland, OH  44114