Chicago’s Meigs Field Closed in 2003 by Mayor’s Order, Runway Marked for Demolition
In 2003, then-Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley ordered Meigs Field, a lakefront airport, to be demolished by carving large X marks into its runway, effectively closing it and repurposing the land into Northerly Island.
Chicago, IL, September 11, 2026 — In 2003, the city of Chicago saw the closure of Meigs Field, a lakefront airport, following an order from then-Mayor Richard M. Daley. The directive mandated the demolition of the airport’s runway.
The process of closing Meigs Field involved the physical alteration of its primary operational surface. Large X marks were carved directly into the runway. This action effectively rendered the airport unusable for aviation, leading to its closure.
Following the closure and subsequent demolition, the land that once served as Meigs Field was repurposed. The area was transformed into what is now known as Northerly Island. The decision marked a significant shift in the use of the lakefront property, transitioning from an active airport to a public space.
Specific details regarding the exact timeline of the demolition beyond the 2003 order, the methods used for carving the runway, or the precise timeline and scope of the Northerly Island redevelopment project were not detailed in the provided summary. The contractor responsible for the demolition and the official permit status for the repurposing project were also not specified.
Meigs Field, operational since 1948, was a general aviation airport located on a man-made peninsula south of the Loop. Its closure in 2003 was a subject of significant discussion and debate within the city regarding urban development and the future of lakefront land.
Story summarized from the original created by Bianca Cseke on www.wbez.org, see more information here.
