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Chicago's Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport was shut down in 2003 by Mayor Richard M. Daley, who ordered the destruction of its runway. The airport was a single-runway airport, located on an artificial peninsula in Lake Michigan, and was the busiest single-strip airport in the United States. The closure was justified by the mayor as a way to repurpose the land as a park and due to safety concerns, but it caused controversy among aviation interests and commentators. The airport had a rich history, dating back to its construction in 1948 and was even featured as the default airport in early versions of the Microsoft Flight Simulator software.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Airport | Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport |
| Former ICAO | KCGX |
| FAA LID | CGX |
| Location | Northerly Island, an artificial peninsula in Lake Michigan |
| Operational Years | 1948-2003 |
| Reason for Closure | Mayor Richard M. Daley wanted to repurpose the land as a park |
| Other Reasons for Closure | Safety concerns due to the post-9/11 risk of terrorist-controlled aircraft attacks |
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What You'll Learn
- Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport was shut down by Mayor Richard M. Daley
- The airport was closed due to safety concerns and the risk of terrorist attacks
- The airport's land was sought after for repurposing as a park
- The closure was criticised by aviation interests and commentators
- Meigs Field was the busiest single-strip airport in the US
Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport was shut down by Mayor Richard M. Daley
Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport, a single-runway airport in Chicago, was shut down by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2003. The airport was named for newspaper publisher and aviation enthusiast Merrill C. Meigs. It was located on Northerly Island, an artificial peninsula in Lake Michigan, and was operational from 1948 to 2003.
Meigs Field was constructed to accommodate the demand for general aviation following World War II and also served regional commercial air travel. With its proximity to downtown Chicago, it quickly became the busiest single-strip airport in the United States. Over the years, various improvements were made, including the addition of an air traffic control tower in 1952 and a new terminal building in 1961. By the 1970s, Meigs Field had become a critical facility for aeromedical transport and was also used by corporate aircraft.
However, in 2003, Mayor Daley forced the abrupt closure of the airport by ordering the overnight destruction of its runway. Daley sought to repurpose the land as a park and defended his actions by citing safety concerns, particularly the post-September 11 risk of terrorist-controlled aircraft attacking the downtown waterfront near Meigs Field. The closure caused controversy, with aviation interests and commentators decrying the move, while supporters of the park believed it was in the city's best interest.
The airport was also well-known for being featured as the default airport in early versions of the Microsoft Flight Simulator software. Its closure brought an end to the scheduled passenger flights served by various airlines, as well as the helicopter shuttle service to other Chicago airports.
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The airport was closed due to safety concerns and the risk of terrorist attacks
Chicago's Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport was closed due to safety concerns and the risk of terrorist attacks. The airport, located on an artificial peninsula in Lake Michigan, was operational from 1948 until its abrupt closure in 2003.
With its proximity to downtown Chicago, the airport quickly became the busiest single-strip airport in the United States. However, its location also raised concerns about safety and security, especially after the September 11 terrorist attacks. There were fears that aircraft controlled by terrorists could target the downtown waterfront near the airport.
To address these concerns, Mayor Richard M. Daley ordered the overnight destruction of the runway, forcing the airport's closure. This decision was met with a divided response. Aviation interests and commentators criticized the move, while supporters of converting the land into a park believed it was in the city's best interest.
The closure of Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport due to safety concerns and the risk of terrorist attacks showcases the complex balance between ensuring public safety and maintaining critical infrastructure. The decision had a significant impact on aviation in the region and highlighted the challenging decisions that must be made in the interest of protecting the public.
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The airport's land was sought after for repurposing as a park
The Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport was a single-runway airport in Chicago, located on Northerly Island, an artificial peninsula in Lake Michigan. It was constructed to accommodate the demand for general aviation following World War II and served regional commercial air travel as well. Due to its proximity to downtown Chicago, it became the busiest single-strip airport in the United States.
However, over time, the airport land was sought after for repurposing as a park. The idea of repurposing the airport land as a park was not new. As early as 1916, Edward H. Bennett, co-author of the Plan of Chicago, wrote that a lakefront location would be ideal for an airport serving the central business district. The airport was constructed on this lakefront location, with construction beginning in 1922.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the idea of repurposing the airport land as a park gained traction again. The Lake Michigan Federation (later the Alliance for the Great Lakes) released an urban wilderness plan for the site in February 2001. Seeking to implement this plan, Mayor Richard M. Daley forced the abrupt closure of the airport in 2003 by ordering the overnight destruction of its runway.
The closure of the airport was controversial, with aviation interests and commentators decrying the move. However, supporters of the park believed that converting the land into a park was in the city's best interest. Mayor Daley defended his actions, citing safety concerns and the need to avoid further court battles before the airport could close. The airport land was eventually transformed into a park, with the new park opening to the public in 2005.
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The closure was criticised by aviation interests and commentators
The closure of Meigs Field airport in Chicago was criticised by aviation interests and commentators. The airport was shut down by Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2003, who ordered the destruction of its runway. This move was met with backlash from those in the aviation industry, who decried the sudden closure of the busy airport.
Meigs Field was a single-runway airport located on an artificial peninsula in Lake Michigan. It was the busiest single-strip airport in the United States, serving general aviation and regional commercial air travel. With its proximity to downtown Chicago, it was also a critical facility for aeromedical transport. The airport had undergone various improvements over the years, including the addition of an air traffic control tower and a new terminal building.
Mayor Daley defended his decision by citing safety concerns, specifically the risk of terrorist-controlled aircraft attacking the downtown waterfront near Meigs Field in the post-9/11 era. However, commentators criticised the manner in which the closure was carried out, with Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn referring to it as the "signature act" of Daley's time in office. The columnist John Kass wrote that Daley "ruined Meigs because he wanted to, because he could".
The closure of Meigs Field remains a controversial episode in Chicago's history, highlighting the tension between urban development and aviation interests. The site of the former airport has since been repurposed as a park, reflecting the original intentions of its proponents, who believed that the land would be better served as a recreational space for the city's residents.
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Meigs Field was the busiest single-strip airport in the US
Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport, pronounced "Megs", was a single-runway airport in Chicago, named after Merrill C. Meigs, publisher of the Chicago Herald and Examiner and an aviation advocate. It was located on Northerly Island, an artificial peninsula in Lake Michigan, and was operational from 1948 to 2003.
Constructed to accommodate the demand for general aviation following World War II, Meigs Field also served regional commercial air travel. With its proximity to downtown Chicago, it quickly became the busiest single-strip airport in the United States. It was widely familiar as it was featured as the default airport in early versions of the Microsoft Flight Simulator software.
Meigs Field was home to dozens of general aviation aircraft, corporate jets, and some passenger services. By the 1980s, the airport opened to commercial passenger flights as well. The expanded single runway at the airport was 3,900 feet, easily accommodating regional aircraft like the de Havilland Canada DHC-6, Beechcraft 1900C, and Model 99, among others. Airlines operating in Meigs Field included Air Illinois, United Express, Trans State Airlines (a subsidiary of Trans World Airlines), and other regional carriers.
The airport was also popular with visiting dignitaries. President John F. Kennedy would fly into O'Hare in Air Force One before stepping onto Marine One and landing at Meigs Field, avoiding the complications of a Secret Service escort via Chicago's expressways.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport was shut down in 2003 by Mayor Richard M. Daley, who sought to repurpose the land as a park.
Mayor Daley defended his actions by claiming it would save the City of Chicago the effort of further court battles before the airport could close. He also cited safety concerns, specifically the risk of terrorist-controlled aircraft attacking the downtown waterfront near Meigs Field.
Yes, aviation interests and commentators decried the move.
Yes, the land was repurposed as a park.
