City details 'Clevolution' terminal modernization plan for Cleveland Hopkins, eyes phased, landside‑first approach

CLEVELAND — Airport leaders presented an updated master plan for Cleveland Hopkins Airport on the Transportation & Mobility Committee on Tuesday, unveiling “Clevolution,” a landside‑first terminal modernization and guest‑experience program that airport staff say they plan to deliver in phases to limit operational disruption.

Director Francis, who led the briefing for the Department of Port Control, said the airport’s existing head house “encompasses ticketing, TSA screening, and baggage claim functions” and is now inadequate in size and layout for current passenger activity. “I believe it is CLE’s time. It is time for CLE to step into the spotlight,” Director Francis said.

Staff described Phase 1 as landside‑focused and consisting of a new 6,000‑space parking garage, a 1,600‑space surface “Gold Lot” adjacent to Concourse D, a new ground transportation center, a new RTA station with a tunnel connection to the terminal, a new head house built on the footprint of the existing parking garage, pedestrian bridges to the concourses, and demolition of the existing head house and garage once the replacements are operational.

Airport staff and their program management team told the committee the landside sequence is intended to minimize passenger disruption by allowing existing facilities to remain…