Marking CLEvolution’s First Major Construction Milestone
CLEVELAND, July 1, 2026 – Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) broke ground on the new Gold Lot on July 1, marking its first visible step towards the future after years of planning, coordination and preparation. While the project itself will ultimately add approximately 1,600 parking spaces to the airport campus, the ceremony represented something much larger. It marked the official launch of CLEvolution. The milestone brought together airport leadership, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, airline partners, consultants, contractors and community leaders to celebrate the launch of one of the most ambitious infrastructure programs in the airport’s history. The turnout reflected the enthusiasm surrounding the program and the shared commitment to delivering a transformation of this scale.
For many airports, modernization programs involve multiple projects progressing simultaneously across an expansive campus. Modernizing CLE requires carefully sequencing construction within the airport’s existing footprint while maintaining daily operations. Each project is strategically planned to prepare the way for the next. This makes the Gold Lot much more than a parking project. It is the first critical step in a strategic plan that will allow the broader modernization effort to move forward. Breaking ground signals that years of planning have transitioned into action and that the airport’s long-term vision is taking shape.
Transforming an airport campus while maintaining daily operations requires more than engineering and construction expertise. It demands strategic sequencing, disciplined program management, and close collaboration among owners, designers, contractors, airline partners and public officials. The groundbreaking ceremony served as a reflection of that collaboration. Airport leaders, elected officials, and industry partners gathered to mark the start of construction and recognize the collaboration that brought the program to this milestone. Their shared commitment will help position the airport to serve Northeast Ohio for decades to come.
During the ceremony, Bryant L. Francis, C.M., Director of Port Control, described the groundbreaking as the beginning of a bold new era for Cleveland Hopkins. His remarks underscored the Gold Lot’s broader significance as the first step in CLEvolution’s long-term transformation of the airport. Passengers will now see visible changes across the airport campus as the program shifts from planning to construction.
The focus of this project will now turn to delivering the Gold Lot while preparing for future CLEvolution projects. Each new milestone brings Cleveland Hopkins closer to a more modern, efficient airport designed to meet the region’s long-term needs.
Paslay Group provides Executive Program Management® services to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport’s leadership team, supporting CLEvolution through terminal planning and improvements to landside roadways and parking.
Learn more at https://itsaclevolution.com
