The Friends of Meigs Field have made a good run. But down just the same. At 3,899 feet, the runway is too short for many corporate jets, and the island is too short for more runway. Though newer-model jets would find Meigs usable, it will be some time before enough new aircraft could be winging their way there. Even Brown, a longtime Meigs supporter, has accepted the reality that the airport will close.
Plans call for a Northerly Island that is more a nature preserve than a playing field.
Prairies, dunes and woodlands, with areas for camping and fishing are on the drawing board.