Key Takeaways
• Cleveland Hopkins International Airport begins $1.6 billion CLEvolution renovation, announced May 2025, spanning until 2032.
• Key features: new terminal, expanded parking, improved security, and direct train connections to Greater Cleveland Region.
• First upgrades include $22.5 million Gold Lot (2026) and $301 million Orange Lot Parking Garage (by 2029).
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has just stepped into a major chapter of its long history as it turns 100 years old in 2025. The airport, known for serving countless travelers to and from Cleveland and the wider Ohio region, now faces its biggest change yet: a $1.6 billion renovation called CLEvolution. Announced in May 2025, this major upgrade is set to transform every part of the airport over the next seven years. Both the scale and the vision behind this plan will change the experience for travelers, local communities, businesses, and airline partners for decades ahead.
A Detailed Look at the $1.6 Billion Renovation
To understand just how sweeping CLEvolution is, let’s walk through the main goals and features of the plan. First and foremost, this is about bringing Cleveland Hopkins International Airport into the modern era. It’s about meeting the needs and expectations of travelers and the region, especially as air travel keeps growing. The renovation is not only timely because of the airport’s centennial birthday, but also needed because the current facilities are simply too small and outdated.
Since the beginning of the planning in 2021, leaders have stressed making Cleveland Hopkins International Airport a more welcoming gateway. This includes careful planning around the airfield (where planes take off, land, and taxi), the passenger terminals, and the environment. The expected $1.6 billion budget is actually just the first chunk of an even larger Terminal Modernization Development Program, which will eventually lead into further upgrades over time.
Key Approvals and First Steps
Effective change needs support, and so far, leadership and airlines have stood firmly behind CLEvolution. In early 2024, key airline partners gave their backing by approving an initial $175 million to get the Terminal Modernization Development Program started. By May 2025, they agreed unanimously on an extra $301 million, much of it aimed at solving a big problem: not enough parking for passengers.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the airport has already started preparing the site for new work. For example, the old Sheraton Hotel on the airport grounds has been demolished, making room for newly planned facilities. These early wins have set a foundation for the ambitious timeline ahead.
Step-by-Step Changes: The CLEvolution Timeline
CLEvolution isn’t one quick construction job—it’s a series of smart steps stretching out to 2032. Here are the core parts of this $1.6 billion renovation, as outlined in the most recent plans:
- Expanding Parking: New Gold Lot (2026)
- With air travel on the rise after the pandemic years, finding parking at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has grown even harder. So the first visible change will be the brand-new “Gold Lot” by Concourse D, opening in 2026. This $22.5 million project will add about 1,600 new spaces, easing passenger stress and helping busy travel times run smoother.
- New Orange Lot Parking Garage and Better Transport (by 2029)
- A much bigger effort comes next: a $301 million, multi-level Orange Lot Parking Garage. This garage will boost covered parking options from 4,000 up to 6,000 spaces. It also ties into a fresh Ground Transportation Center, where shuttle buses will help people get to nearby hotels and attractions.
- Importantly, the design includes a new Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) Red Line station right in the airport, letting more people skip driving altogether and take the train straight to the terminal. With local and regional travel growing, this change will help both visitors and regular airport staff.
- A Brand-New Terminal Building (by 2032)
- The centerpiece of the $1.6 billion renovation, and the part most travelers will see up close, is the new terminal complex. When new parking is complete, the current “Smart Parking Garage” will come down to make way for this modern “front door” of the airport. With an estimated cost of $1.1 billion, this project will replace the old terminal entirely and unlock a brand new travel experience.
- Once the new terminal opens, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will have a doubled main terminal size, far more space in lobbies, security, and baggage claim, plus a new international arrivals area for a smoother customs process.
What Will Be Different? Big Changes Inside and Outside
The $1.6 billion CLEvolution transformation will touch every corner of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Here’s what travelers, workers, and the city can expect.
- New Terminal Features
- The design leans on lots of glass, high ceilings, and open spaces. People checking in for flights will walk into a much larger, deeper lobby, giving both travelers and staff more space to move and work.
- Security screening will be easier for everyone through one big, central checkpoint—no more guessing which line is shorter. This keeps the process fair and clear, speeding up wait times.
- The baggage claim area will also be bigger, so large crowds won’t feel cramped when flights land at once.
- International arrivals will be smoother, too. A new customs and border area will welcome those flying in from overseas, making the first impressions of Cleveland more pleasant.
- Inspired by Lake Erie
- Not just functional, the new design draws from the region’s ties to Lake Erie. Architects have planned a wave-shaped roof with glass and steel, letting sunlight play through the space. Visitors will feel a sense of place, not just another bland airport lobby.
- Better Transportation Connections
- The roads outside will be wider, and there will be more curb space for drop-offs and pick-ups. Shuttle bus stops will be better organized, and all connections—car, bus, train—will be clearer and easier to use. This helps visiting families, business travelers, and locals coming in for work.
- Room for Art and Community
- While details may come later, this kind of major rebuild usually includes new public art and places for the community. This can make the airport a proud gateway, not just a passing space.
Major Support from Leaders and Partners
A project like CLEvolution cannot succeed on wishful thinking alone. The leadership comes from many sides:
- Bryant L. Francis, the Director of Port Control, leads the major vision and daily decisions.
- Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has voiced strong backing for the plan, noting both pride in the city’s growth and the real need to upgrade public spaces as the world changes.
- City Council President Blaine Griffin and the entire City Council have lined up behind CLEvolution, approving funding and supporting each phase as it comes.
- Paslay Group Consulting, brought on board since 2023, serves as the main guide for getting everything done on time and on budget. They join with design and building firms—including Corgan, Connico, DVA Architecture, Robert P. Madison International, McGuiness Unlimited, and Regency Construction Services.
Why This Matters: Short and Long-Term Impact
With a $1.6 billion renovation on this scale, the ripple effects reach beyond just the airport. Here’s why this matters:
For Passengers and Travelers
– Flying in or out of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport will become faster, easier, and more enjoyable.
– Less time spent looking for parking or shuffling between confusing security lines means less stress, especially for families or people with tight schedules.
– The new international arrivals area might encourage more flights from abroad, boosting the city’s connections worldwide.
For the Local Community
– Building and running this new airport infrastructure offers many new jobs, from construction to hospitality.
– Visitors coming to the area will get better first impressions, which can mean more people deciding to return, invest, or live in Cleveland.
– Extra train and shuttle access helps everyone, not just travelers, by extending public transportation links across the region.
For Airlines and Businesses
– Airlines will have more room and better systems for moving people, bags, and planes swiftly.
– The city’s growing reputation for air travel could mean better business partnerships and more daily flights.
Economic Boost
– Large-scale renovations like CLEvolution cause a boost in spending on local suppliers, construction firms, and service businesses. Over time, this leads to increased tax revenue, which can help pay for schools, roads, and other city improvements.
Potential Challenges and Differing Views
Any project on this scale invites different opinions and concerns. Some residents and city leaders may worry about construction noise or changes to daily routines, especially in nearby neighborhoods. Airports are also known for projects running over budget or missing timelines, so keeping the $1.6 billion renovation on track will require close watch.
Others debate whether huge investments in airports are the best way to spend public money, especially when housing, schools, or other infrastructure needs funding, too. Still, most agree that safer, more modern airports support long-term growth.
CLEvolution’s multi-year structure (breaking work into phases) should help here. By starting with the most urgent fixes—parking, roads, and the new terminal—airport leaders are focusing on problems that most impact travelers now. Later phases, like updating concourses, can be adjusted based on what’s learned in the first steps.
How CLEvolution Fits into the Bigger Picture
Besides serving travelers, airports are symbols of their cities. For Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, this $1.6 billion renovation is about honoring a century of history while preparing for future decades.
Across the United States 🇺🇸, many older airports are now in line for improvements. Travelers and businesses expect modern safety standards, accessibility, easy connections, and a pleasant experience, not just basic function. The CLEvolution program, with its bold design and major funding, shows where airport planning is going nationwide.
If you are interested in the fine details of these improvements, including blueprints, schedules, and community updates, the airport’s official website offers updated news and resources for the public. This site will share how to find parking, how construction might affect your trip, and what to expect as each phase kicks off.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Travelers and Cleveland
The next seven years promise to be busy for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Passengers might see detours and some noise, but the payoff will be a more comfortable, efficient, and beautiful space for all. With more parking, a new smooth terminal, simple security, and easy train and bus links, the airport stands ready for the 21st century.
As the CLEvolution program continues, travelers and locals can expect updates and small changes each year. City and airport officials stress that public feedback will remain important—they want people to say what’s working and what could be better.
In the end, the $1.6 billion renovation will not just give Cleveland Hopkins International Airport a new look. It will make travel simpler, support local jobs, and turn the airport into a true “front door” for Cleveland and the wider world.
For anyone flying to or from the city during the coming years, checking for regular updates and planning ahead will help make the trip easier. With smart planning and steady progress, CLEvolution is designed to bring real improvements to Cleveland and its travelers, both now and far into the future.
Learn Today
CLEvolution → The $1.6 billion, multi-year renovation program to modernize and expand Cleveland Hopkins International Airport with new facilities and systems.
Terminal Modernization Development Program → A phased plan for updating all major airport infrastructure, starting with terminal, parking, and public access upgrades.
Concourse → A section within an airport building where gates and waiting areas are located for passengers boarding or arriving from flights.
Ground Transportation Center → Centralized facility connecting parking areas, shuttle buses, and public transit to the airport terminal for smooth passenger flow.
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) → The main public transit operator serving Cleveland and surrounding regions, including train and bus services to the airport.
This Article in a Nutshell
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is embarking on a $1.6 billion transformation, CLEvolution, announced in May 2025. Upgrades include a modern terminal, larger parking facilities, improved public transit links, and streamlined security. This multi-phase project strengthens Cleveland’s gateway role and enhances travel for all, preparing the region for future growth.
— By VisaVerge.com
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