Richards Airport

The closure was due to economic reasons and urban encroachment. The airport was situated on prime real estate near the Ohio Turnpike (I-80/I-90) and the Midway Mall, which opened in 1966. The land's value for commercial development far surpassed its value as a small general aviation airfield, leading to its sale and subsequent redevelopment.

The site of the former airport has been completely redeveloped and bears no resemblance to its past use. It is now a major commercial shopping center. The land is occupied by a Walmart Supercenter, a Home Depot, and numerous other retail stores and restaurants with extensive parking lots. All runways, hangars, and associated airport structures have been demolished.

Richards Airport was a classic post-WWII general aviation airfield, privately owned and operated by B.L. 'Bud' Richards. Established in the late 1940s, it served the local Elyria aviation community for over two decades. The airport featured two turf runways (the longest being approximately 2,600 feet) and provided services including flight training through 'Richards Flying Service,' aircraft maintenance, and hangar storage for private pilots. It was a community hub for local aviation enthusiasts but did not handle any scheduled commercial airline operations.

There are zero prospects for reopening Richards Airport. The land has been permanently and fully redeveloped for high-value commercial use, making any return to aviation activities impossible. The general aviation needs of the area are served by the nearby Lorain County Regional Airport (KLPR).