Burke Lakefront Airport sits on the lake, minutes from downtown. City Hall has asked the FAA to remove its designation as a reliever airport for Hopkins — a move that would accelerate its closure and free the land for development. The question the region has not answered is: what comes next, and who makes the decisions?
This parcel of land is often compared to Chicago’s city park lakefront, Grant Park (“Chicago’s Front Yard”). In 1900, the area now known as Grant Park (then called Lake Park) was fiercely protected by Aaron Montgomery Ward, who wanted it kept free of buildings to ensure it remained a public park. There is no published plan, and the overlook of what was built is… overlooked.
Grant Park (“Chicago’s Front Yard”). In 1900, the area now known as Grant Park (then known as Lake Park) was fiercely protected by Aaron Montgomery Ward, who wanted it kept free of buildings to ensure it remained a public park. There’s no plublished plan and the overlook of what was built is … overlooked.
What Burke Provides
- Emergency diversion capacity when Hopkins is closed by weather or incident
- General aviation access that keeps business travel connected to downtown
- Lakefront land held in public trust — once sold, gone permanently
- One heck of an awestruck airshow on a nationally important day. No other city has this long-standing luxury.
What the Region Should Ask
Before removing Burke, the region needs a lakefront master plan developed with public input — not a real estate transaction managed by City Hall alone. Ask United Airlines to temporarily locate here so the entire terminal C at Hopkins can be perfectly demolished and rebuilt in line for 2040. Delta and American Airlines could also relocate flights, inbound and outbound, from Burke Lakefront.