Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport could be closed to make way for a multi-purpose zone that includes a 180-acre youth sports complex.
Mayor Justin Bibb recently presented a preliminary plan to transform the site. Potential plans include the complex — which would have outdoor fields and a fieldhouse — as well as hotels, an 18-hole golf course, campgrounds and RV parking, a helicopter vertport and a business zone on the water.
There is a catch though. Three, actually.
The FAA has to approve closure; Congress could also close it
Murky price projections from $480M to $844M; the mayor’s office says $600M
Lack of specifics about who will pay
Bibb made mention of public-private partnerships. But he also suggested some projects — like the youth sports complex — will be profitable enough to fund themselves.
Officials believe the youth sports complex could bring 400-500 families to town each weekend.
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Ocala, Florida: The World Equestrian Center in Ocala received the green light to build a sprawling youth sports complex. Marion County officials signed off on a revised plan after some pushback from local residents and groups.
Baseball, softball fields
Soccer field
Arena for basketball, hockey, concerts
The big concession: WEC must limit the number of concerts it hosts in the first year so officials can study any traffic or noise issues.
WEC already has hotels, restaurants and retail on its campus.
Elsewhere …
Lithia, Florida: Residents are fighting plans for a 10-acre youth sports complex that will include several indoor facilities. The city will need to rezone agricultural space to commercial space in order for construction to begin.
Reno, Nevada: A casino resort operator has begun construction on four youth sports fields after receiving permits. Jacobs Entertainment plans to build a dozen new fields in an effort to attract sports tourism to the region.
Spokane, Washington: A nonprofit is negotiating a city lease on an 11-acre lot to build a $44M ice arena. The venue will have two rinks and be used primarily for youth sports, but will also serve as a practice facility for the city’s WHL team. The project could grow to include lodging and commercial space.
St. George, Louisiana: The city — near Baton Rouge — wants to turn a fairgrounds and park into a complex that includes several baseball fields, batting cages and pickleball courts. The projected cost is $9-12M.
Summersville, West Virginia: The city has begun work on a soccer complex’s initial $13M phase. The venue will have eight fields; officials believe they will be able to attract sports tourism.
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