Frmr CLEder

Oh Ken, you are such a tease!

CLE is developing a new master plan. You are correct. It has train service, is easy to get into/out of and besides the usual Toronto, Punta Cana, Cancun junkets, many major international destinations are only one stop. Similar to CVG though, its seeking more travel destinations and major international service, but CLE is landlocked, has poor C&I, and has lost hub status. Could a new "regional" airport drive economic development for NEO, similar to what we see in CLT, ATL, or DFW and where could or should it be located?

The only area in the whole region with vacant land, flat terrain and limited lake-effect weather would be towards Toledo/Lima and that's not really convenient since its on the other side of the state. That being said, surprisingly CLE rarely closes for weather-related issues. I think they're on ILS.

If you had bothered to read the thread you would have understood that the statement was that an opportunity existed 50 years ago to build a NEO international airport. It died on the vine. Over that 50 year time period, what could have been NEO's benefits (unlimited room for airport expansion, increased flight options, corporate & economic development) if it had been pursued? Not pursuing that project may have contributed to the status of things today (land-locked airports, limited flight options, slow economic growth). "My age has to do with" me not being interested in resorting to "childish responses," as you referenced above. I'm interested in growth & economic development in Cleveland. Period. You told me to "check myself." That's what set it off. If a post is hostile, retaliatory, vindictive, toxic, or a terrible idea, I'm going to call it out as being such.

The good news is that the city has numerous empty parcels available to reinvent itself. It will however require appropriate strategic planning. Its an opportunity.

As a frequent business traveler, I travel when I need to be at a location, not based upon some pre-arranged airline schedule. For weeklong commitments S, M to T, F makes sense. What is more concerning is the rapid increase in discounted leisure route traffic. While it increases air traffic and may provide additional employment opportunities, it is not, inand of itself, a driver of economic development.

I think we all agree BKL isn't going anywhere soon, if ever. If there was a concerted closure effort that started today, it would take 20 years to come to fruition. With landlocked CLE undergoing its master planning initiative, is there an opportunity to shift some of the commuter air traffic from CLE to BKL?

Cleveland isn't the only city battling the railroads for control of precious land resources. Charlotte and Greensboro, NC have similar desires, but success with the railroads is not an impossibility. It does however require the will, perseverence and careful negotiation. https://www.charlotteagenda.com/186266/220-acre-version-of-new-york-citys-central-park-proposed-for-a-longstanding-north-charlotte-rail-yard/

All of this is assuming there will be major international carriers and destinations entering the NEO market; not just the current Toronto, Cancun, Punta Cana junkets. It doesn't matter which airport (US or overseas), C&I is isolated, inconvenient and requires a lot of extra effort for entry and exit. The easiest C&I I've found have been in Dakar, Senegal and Barcelona, Esp, which are relatively simple.

Cleveland has weather. Period. End of story. It doesn't matter where it goes, the bottom line is there was an opportunity to build a land unrestricted international airport 50 years ago. It didnt happen and here you are. BTW, at 63 YO, I don't do childish responses. I leave that to people such as yourself.

No you need to check yourself

They seem determined to stall, prohibit, defund, deny any project that could benefit the economic development of the state's urban centers. Or perhaps they're delaying the bill in the hope that it will result in developers providing them with campaign contributions in advance of next year's election. It's just more of the same. Disgusting.

Runway configuration aside, so here you are 50 years later, complaining about landlocked airports, limited air service and reduced economic development compared to peer cities; cities whose leaders had the vision and foresight to build airports in relatively unpopulated areas while they could.

So at this stage of the game, we're awaiting the SW official announcement and their initial plans.

If you were born and raised in Cleveland, you also acquired its values. You are polite, courteous, respect your elders, hold doors, say hello, etc. I was born in Cleveland, but live in Miami. While there is no income tax and the weather is great, people are rude, feel entitled, are discourteous, horrible drivers, are self-centered and external beauty focused; their insides need a lot of work. Unfortunately there are also a few on these threads that exhibit some of the same characteristics. I would much rather have my Cleveland upbringing and values. So while Cleveland may have its issues and challenges, so does every place else.

I think upthread there's a comment that no place is perfect. That would include ATL.

Their significance continues to diminish with tremendous corporate consolidation over the years and various rail alternatives. As we all know, that has been one of the great mistakes that has haunted the region since the decline in the steel industry.

I'm glad it will not consume the precious parcels in the CBD, leaving them instead for future office and residential development. Furthermore, the city has an over abundance of vacant east-side parcels that need infill.

The Feds did a nice (but very expensive) redo of the Federal Bldg. This could turn out to be another good project but I do like the "55" on top.

I think there's some truth there, but no place is perfect and at least if you are aware of your deficiencies, you can seek to address them. Other threads address the airport and GCRTA, but NEO needs local officials with a vision and the drive to address the issues. I also agree, SW is staying put, regardless of the above-referenced issues; they may even be part of the solution to those challenges.

Sounds like a good use of city-owned vacant lots and brownfields on the near east side. These vacant parcels provide numerous development opportunities as the city rebuilds its housing stock/redevelops those areas that have seen the wrecking ball.

I think it's a reflection of many of the reporters conducting historical research but lacking the historical perspective. A lot of the results must be placed within the appropriate historical context. The Kucinich administration was one, but there have been issues with education, transportation, economics, as well as hostile local and state politicians, all of which impact those relocation decisions.

Try 30 years! It's not an easy task.

They're already in Weston (Fort Lauderdale suburb) and recently purchased a health system in Martin County (north of Palm Beach).

Has anything replaced John Q's? That was a great steakhouse with great cocktails.