Cleveland Airport to get $1.6 billion makeover: Work will be covered under a PLA

An artist rendering [Left] of the new terminal that will be built at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. In early May, officials announced a multiphase renovation project that will invest about $1.6 billion into the airport to improve the current terminal and parking. 

The $1.6 billion project to create more parking and build a new terminal at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will be performed under a Project Labor Agreement and create more than 1,500 jobs for affiliated members of the Cleveland Building Trades.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, officials announced a multiphase renovation project that will invest about $1.6 billion into the aging structure to improve parking and expand the current terminal.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Director of Port Control Bryant Francis announced the $1.6 billion in planned airport improvements on May 6. The project will provide ample work opportunities for affiliated members of the Cleveland Building Trades. 

“I think all of us in the room here recognize that for us to have a world-class city, we need a world-class airport,” said Bibb. “And I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate 100 years of having an airport owned by our city than to honor and celebrate this new bold departure for our airport.”
    
Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary/Business Manager Dave Wondolowski said the work will be completed under a Project Labor Agreement thanks to an Executive Order issued by Bibb last year that mandated PLAs on all City-owned projects that cost $500,000 or more. 

Phase I is expected to create between 1,500 and 1,800 jobs for building trades members. In total, the airport improvements will be the largest project in the Cleveland Building Trades jurisdiction under Wondolowski’s tenure, which began in 2013.

Like many who fly out of Hopkins, he acknowledged the facility needs significant upgrades.

“The airport has aged and needs updates badly,” Wondolowski said.

Hopkins is Ohio’s busiest airport and serves over 10 million passengers annually. Eleven passenger airlines offer over 125 daily departures to 47 nonstop destinations, 42 domestic and five international. There are also four all-cargo airlines serving the airport. 

The upcoming multi-phase CLE Terminal Modernization Development Program includes an extensive transformation of the terminal and related facilities.

“Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is more than just a transportation hub; it’s the front door to our region, shaping the first and last impressions of everyone who visits our city,” said Bibb. “As Mayor, I am fully committed to advocating for the transformation of this vital asset. I stand proudly behind the Airport team’s efforts to deliver a modern, welcoming experience that reflects the innovation, pride, and momentum of our city. Cleveland deserves, and will have, a world-class airport.”

According to a prepared statement, an updated master plan study was completed in 2021 that provided a long-term blueprint including a conceptual layout and guidance for future airport growth and development. It included airfield planning, terminal planning, landside planning, other facilities and environmental considerations.

Since then, Airport executives have been working with industry consultants and forged a new relationship with the Paslay Group consulting firm in fall 2023 to advance the plan into actionable steps.

Early last year, the Airport’s signatory airline partners approved $175 million to begin the implementation of the Terminal Modernization Development Program (TMDP). Early work has already occurred, such as the demolition of the former Sheraton Hotel. 

Wondolowski described the work as vital for the entire region.

“It’s our main airport, and we have to continue to compete globally, so this is pivotal,” he said.

Since terminal facilities must remain operational during this multi-year project, the improvements will evolve in phases. 

On May 1, the airport’s signatory airline partners unanimously approved an additional $301 million of funding to support increased public parking capacity, a critical component of the first phase. 

This phase will address parking, roadways, ticketing level and security checkpoints.

First, a new Gold Lot will be created adjacent to Concourse D. The $22.5 million project will add 1,600 parking spaces. Work will begin in the first quarter of 2026 and finish later that year. 

Once the Gold Lot is operational, work will begin on a new, larger parking garage at the site of the current Orange Lot. This garage will increase the airport’s garage parking capacity from 4,000 to 6,000 spaces and will include a new Ground Transportation Center and RTA station. 

This $301 million project will welcome vehicles by early 2029.

After the new garage is in place, the current Smart Parking Garage will be demolished. The site of the old garage will evolve into the new, modernized front door of Hopkins. This estimated $1.1 billion project is expected to be completed in 2032. 

“We’ve heard our guests loud and clear, and in collaboration with our airline partners, the decision was made to begin moving this program forward,” said Francis. “The feedback of our airline representatives has been central to our planning process, and their ideas surrounding our future are greatly valued.”

The new facility will be more than twice the size of the existing structure and offer a larger, deeper lobby for airline check-in; a consolidated security screening checkpoint; a new customs facility; and a more expansive baggage claim level.

It will expand curbside pick-up and drop-off for both arrivals and departures by about 25 percent.

Wondolowski said no general contractor has been selected for Phase I, but there will be multiple Construction Managers on the project.

Further airline funding approvals will be required for additional phases. 

Decisions will be made later regarding the extent of improvements to the airside of the terminal campus, after execution has begun on the landside phase. Phase one includes the most critical components of the project due to the strain on the Airport’s landside infrastructure and facilities.

“This multi-year project promises to unlock a wave of opportunity for our local economy and our community,” said Cleveland City Council President Blaine A. Griffin in a prepared statement. “I, along with the entire City Council, stand firmly behind the airport’s vision and hard work. We’re excited and optimistic about the future these improvements will bring to Cleveland.”

According to WKYC- TV, the last major project at Hopkins was more than 25 years ago, when a new parallel runway was constructed.