Development Continues in Downtown Cleveland

Cleveland's planned $32 million makeover of Public Square is still on track for completion in time for the Republican National Convention in 2016.

The same is true of the city's other big project scheduled for completion in 2016 – a $25 million pedestrian bridge from the northeast corner of the downtown Mall to North Coast Harbor and attractions including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Jeremy Paris, director of the nonprofit Group Plan Commission, created by Mayor Frank Jackson to spearhead the downtown projects, said Wednesday in an interview that he was confident both projects are on track. "We had aimed to be originally under construction this fall and maybe by the end of this year" on Public Square, Paris said, "but we're really still on track." He said Public Square has required "more careful planning," especially over relocating underground utilities, but that neither the square nor the pedestrian bridge has fallen off-schedule. "We have projects that are truly under way with the funding in place and identified," Paris added, "so we can be confident we can deliver them."

The Public Square project, the centerpiece of the mayor's effort to make Cleveland a greener, more beautiful and livable city, will involve closing two blocks of Ontario Street, which runs north-south through the historic, 10-acre space. Superior Avenue would remain open for buses, but could be closed for special events. Designed by the prominent American landscape architect, James Corner, the re-do of the square would include an "event lawn" on the north side of Superior, and a splash zone and cafe.

Design work on the lakefront pedestrian bridge, which is being managed by Cuyahoga County, is proceeding on the cable-stayed concept, one of three originally under consideration. Designed by Boston architect Miguel Rosales in partnership with the engineering firm of Parsons Brinckerhoff, the concept calls for a large, V-shaped central mast to support the 900-foot span. The bridge will facilitate foot and bike traffic over the lakefront railroad lines and the Shoreway from Public Square and the Mall to the lakefront attractions.

Bonnie Teeuwen, the county's director of public works, said the county will by late January name a design-build firm to construct the bridge. She said that only one firm has applied -- a joint venture called Erieshore, a partnership of Great Lakes Construction and The Ruhlin Company, plus the design firm of HDR Inc. Teeuwen said the lack of competition for the contract could cut the amount of time spent in choosing a firm, but also strengthen Erieshore's ability to negotiate a price. She said the project is on track to start foundation work by the middle of the year, and to start fabrication of steel parts by then as well.

While work on the design and selection of a design-builder is moving ahead, financing for the project is not entirely settled. In late November, Cuyahoga County Council delayed approving a measure to borrow $10 million to pay for its share of the $25 million project, pending clarification over who will own and maintain the structure.

Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer