One of the subject locations of today’s grant award is the Port of Cleveland’s Dock 22, located at the center of this photo, at the bottom of the West 9th Street ramp at left (Photo by Tim Evanson-Creative Commons). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
CHEERS, Dock 22 facilities win grants
The Cleveland–Cuyahoga County Port Authority was awarded $4.2 million for two major projects to advance them from planning into construction. The funding was awarded through the Ohio Maritime Assistance Program (MAP), a competitive Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) grant program supporting strategic maritime infrastructure investments across Ohio.
Broken down, $2.7 million will go to the Port of Cleveland’s Dock 22 Rehabilitation and Operational Efficiency Project and $1.5 million will be for the Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy (CHEERS) Early Action Breakwater Project.
Both of these projects are designed to enhance maritime trade, strengthen waterfront infrastructure, and support long-term economic growth in Northeast Ohio, said Jeff Epstein, president and CEO of the Port of Cleveland, in a written statement.
“These investments strengthen the Port’s ability to move cargo efficiently, support regional economic growth, and extend the life of critical maritime infrastructure,” Epstein noted. “We’re grateful to ODOT for recognizing the value of these projects and their impact on Ohio’s economy and supply chain.”
Cleveland has international waterborne shipping and cruise ship facilities that no city in Ohio or elsewhere on the Great Lakes can match (Port of Cleveland).
MAP provides funding to Ohio’s public port authorities for projects that enhance waterborne freight movement, expand cargo-handling capacity, and support economic development along Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Grants require a 50 percent local match and prioritize projects that deliver measurable transportation and economic benefits.
“Ohio’s waterways are a critical asset to the state’s economy, and the Maritime Assistance Program provides needed funding to improve port infrastructure safety that supports Ohio businesses,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn.
“This program ensures that our maritime system remains a reliable and efficient link in the global supply chain, driving job creation and long-term prosperity for both our Lake Erie and Ohio River communities,” Boratyn said.
CHEERS Early Action Breakwater Project
The Port of Cleveland received $1.5 million in MAP funding to advance an Early Action Project under the CHEERS initiative, building on extensive regional planning and collaboration for the shoreline east of Downtown Cleveland near East 55th and East 72nd streets.
CHEERS is the Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy for the shoreline east of Downtown Cleveland near East 55th and East 72nd streets. It got a funding boost today to move it from planning into construction to expand lakefront recreational opportunities (Cleveland Metroparks).
The Early Action Project represents a first, targeted phase of the broader CHEERS effort, allowing critical work to move forward while full implementation continues to be developed. MAP funding will support permitting, final engineering, property acquisition, and construction of the Early Action Project.
Additional funding is being pursued through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s National Coastal Resilience Fund and a NOAA Transformational Habitat grant. Combined with $1.5 million from the City of Cleveland, these investments position the project to move efficiently toward construction.
“This funding allows us to move CHEERS from planning into implementation,” said Linda Sternheimer, the Port’s senior vice president of urban planning and engagement. “By advancing an early phase of the project, we can streamline permitting and finalize design, while laying the groundwork for the full, long-term strategy.”
Once complete, CHEERS is expected to create approximately 3.1 million cubic yards of dredged material capacity, extending the useful life of the Port’s Confined Disposal Facilities by an estimated 15 to 20 years, assuming continuation of existing beneficial-use operations. Afterwards, the Cleveland Metroparks anticipates providing park and recreational facilities on it.
Location and identification of major facilities at the Port of Cleveland. West 3rd Street is at far right and West 9th is at left (Jacobs).
Dock 22 Rehabilitation & Operational Efficiency Project
The Port also received $2.7 million in MAP funding for the Dock 22 Rehabilitation and Operational Efficiency Project at its General Cargo Terminal. Dock 22 has not undergone significant upgrades since it was originally constructed in 1998, making these improvements critical to maintaining safe, efficient, and competitive port operations.
Planned improvements include construction of a vehicle maintenance and hiring hall annex adjacent to Warehouse A, featuring a two-bay garage for reach stackers and forklifts. Concrete repaving and upgrades to stormwater and electrical infrastructure will be done at Dock 22. And, bulkheads will be reinforced to strengthen waterfront infrastructure.
“These investments address long-standing infrastructure needs at Dock 22 and will significantly improve operational efficiency, safety, and reliability for our workforce and our customers,” said Dave Gutheil, Chief Operating Officer at the Port of Cleveland. “The continual process of modernizing our facilities is essential to supporting current and future cargo demands and will position the port for continued growth.”
These investments come on top of the $94 million Clean Ports grant and $105 million of infrastructure investments in the Port of Cleveland over the last ten years. Planning and design are expected to continue through 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in early 2028 and conclude by mid-2030.
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