Albeit a beautiful setting, Downtown Cleveland’s Public Square is often a quiet setting outside of special events. Downtown Cleveland Inc. and LAND Studio hope to change that by making Public Square more active more often with new and more frequent programming that includes increased safety to bring more people out (KJP). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Downtown Cleveland Inc. seeks ideas for work
The work to improve Cleveland’s centuries-old Public Square, a New England-style community commons, is never done. In the latest effort, Downtown Cleveland Inc. will receive $750,000 in funds from the Ohio legislature’s one-time Strategic Community Investment Fund for a more welcoming, engaging and inclusive Public Square for all.
Which improvements? That is to be decided by a public input process and development of designs in collaboration with the Cleveland-based public realm design firm LAND Studio. But it is likely to involve more new programming and increased safety measures rather than costly public works projects.
The state’s investment will kickstart a series of public realm enhancement efforts led by Downtown Cleveland Inc. and LAND Studio, a nonprofit company. The goal will be to execute the community development organization’s Downtown Retail Strategy.
One of its key recommendations in that strategy focuses on design improvements to the core’s commercial corridors and public spaces to enhance the sense of safety and encourage people to spend more time downtown.
“We greatly appreciate Governor DeWine’s and the General Assembly’s support for Public Square and downtown Cleveland as a whole,” said Downtown Cleveland Inc. President and CEO Michael Deemer in a written statement.
Nine of these retractable Raptors were installed this spring at each side of Downtown Cleveland’s Public Square as part of the Superior Crossing project. The Raptors will be kept in the down position most of the time but will be raised during special events. Sixty bollards were also added along the sides of Superior in the middle of the square (JCFO)
The state’s $4.2 billion capital budget was finalized last month and contained funding for dozens of projects in Cuyahoga County with $20 million set aside for the lakefront land bridge being one of the largest appropriations statewide.
“As the city’s central gathering space, Public Square must be inviting to all Clevelanders and visitors alike,” he continued. “We are thrilled to announce not only this investment, but also a critical partnership with LAND Studio to help guide the design and implementation of the improvements.”
Together, Downtown Cleveland and LAND Studio will facilitate a community-driven process that responds to current community needs while also respecting the history and integrity of Public Square.
The internationally recognized landscape architecture firm Field Operations led Public Square’s initial redesign. The newly renovated park reopened to the public in 2016 when Cleveland hosted the Republican National Convention.
Downtown Cleveland’s Public Square is often used for special events but needs more routine, everyday activity to create a more welcoming, engaging and inclusive setting. Downtown Cleveland Inc.’s Public Square improvement effort will seek to achieve those goals (KJP).
Since that time, Public Square has hosted hundreds of large-scale community events, parades and daily programming for downtown residents and visitors. Funding from the state of Ohio will support enhanced technology and play opportunities on Public Square.
Last month, $3.4 million worth of work concluded to further improve Public Square. The Superior Crossing project included the removal of jersey barriers and the installation of 60 permanent bollards along Superior Avenue through the square and retractable Raptor system for special events on the square.
The Strategic Community Investment Funding also signifies a vital step forward in Downtown Cleveland’s execution of the Reimagining Downtown Cleveland Plan in partnership with Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.
The plan prioritizes the development and activation of public spaces like Public Square to foster a connected, inclusive downtown core that caters to all ages. Its continued revitalization will bring modern economic activity, a clean and safe environment and unique experiences for all to enjoy, Downtown Cleveland Inc. staff said.
END
