Cleveland airport advisory board: hangar contract pending as new director plans air shows, fly‑ins

Members of the Cleveland Airport Advisory Board were told the city has not yet signed a hangar contract and that the airport now has budgeted funds for community events, with the new airport director and the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter preparing fly‑ins, discovery flights and other public activities.

Board members and city staff discussed the pending hangar contract and event planning during the advisory board meeting. The meeting record shows the contract was expected to return to the board after a proposal or contract was completed; staff said the contracting party planned a meeting about the contract the night of the advisory meeting. The record did not include the full contract text or a signing date.

The board heard that event funding has been added to the city budget. An advisory member identified as Greg said initial conversations had stalled because there was no budget to support airport events, but that the item "hit the budget" in October. Speakers said the new airport director, identified only as Erin, is eager to organize fly‑ins and other community activities and will need guidance as she adapts from a smaller airport environment.

Members described a range of event ideas under consideration, including air shows, fly‑ins, discovery flights for children, pancake breakfasts or similar monthly gatherings, possible Fourth of July tie‑ins and outreach to local high schools and grade schools. Board members also discussed working with area churches on a community prayer walk that would include walking on the runway before public events.

Larry, identified in the record as president of the local EAA chapter, told the board the chapter is willing to support city events but noted there are insurance and operational lines the EAA must observe. Board members said the chapter and the airport can meet those requirements and that the EAA expects to back city events where feasible.

City and board members addressed past concerns from airport tenants that the city had not sufficiently supported promotions or events. Speakers said that, with the new director and the budgeted funds, the city intends to promote and spend to support airport events, although specifics about the budget line items and the exact level of city financial support were not provided in the meeting record.

The board also introduced Soshi (name spelled in the record as both "Soshi" and "Sochi"), identified as the city’s new communications and marketing coordinator, who has been updating the city’s online pages and will assist in event promotion. The record notes continued outreach to EAA leadership and school and church groups.

The meeting concluded with a procedural motion to adjourn made by Mister Lowry and seconded by Julius Beckley; the motion carried.