Above is a design concept by James Corner Field Operations for Cleveland's potentially new Public Square.
Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson have made a historic agreement to reinvest in downtown’s infrastructure. The Plain Dealer is reporting that the total money available is $93 million because the new Medical Mart is expected to finish under budget and ahead of schedule.
As reported by Steven Litt, “FitzGerald wants to avoid spreading that sum around the county like peanut butter on a thin layer of small efforts”. Instead he wants to focus the money on the downtown that will expand the region's reach for tourism, job growth, and infrastructure.
He will leverage the money to get a total amount of $300-350 million to spend on the new area created by the bus-rapid transit HealthLine on Euclid Avenue to the downtown casino and convention center.
Proposals include:
- 650 room convention hotel
- Envision a downtown mall/Public Square
- Pedestrian bridge over the lakefront railroad lines
- 740 space parking garage
- Trigger residential/office/retail development
- Better bike/pedestrian connections
“The partnership signals a new civic awareness that in addition to building excellent attractions, Cleveland needs to acquire a beautiful public realm that encourages visitors and residents alike to enjoy the city on foot or on a bike,” according to Steven Litt.
Cleveland and Cuyahoga County are taking significant steps toward realizing smarter growth throughout the region. New development along a growing corridor could lead to job creation for the region's unemployed as well as boost the overall economy of Cleveland.