It's either two or three. I think it's three but they only use the third gate when the DEN flight is in. Otherwise they can handle the old Business1 flights to ORD off just two gates. I think with the ability to juggle across five destinations (CLE (light service), DEN (once daily), EWR, IAH, and ORD) they could get away with the existing CO gates + the DL/AS gate.

I think it depends greatly on metro versus cab. I don't think there's much difference at all if you cab to the airport or get dropped off. The physical distance to the CO gates from the nearest door is slightly longer but it's offset by the moving walkway. If you're arriving via metro, I can see the additional walk adding (marginally) to your total time from metro to gate.

I don't think they will, especially as they re-balance across hubs (i.e. further reduce CLE flying).

But, if they do, it might be a great opportunity to work with the MWAA to build out to the historical terminal gates (yes, this is really what I want in life).