CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s first high-level bridge over the Cuyahoga River has welcomed people to and from our city for over a century. The Veterans Memorial Bridge is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A part of that history hasn’t been seen by the public in several years.
“It is one of Cleveland's icons,” remarked Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne.
The Detroit Superior Bridge, later dedicated as the Veterans Memorial Bridge, has been a fixture of the Cleveland skyline for more than a century. Spanning the Cuyahoga River, connecting commuters to and from downtown, a picture-perfect sight, one that as graced postcards over the years.
“It was the first of its kind in terms of concrete and steel reinforced double-decker bridge,” said Ronayne.
In 1912, construction began, taking five years and 5 million dollars to complete, opening to traffic on Thanksgiving Day 1917. The lower deck subway weeks later on Christmas Day. Decades later, the bridge is still forging connections.
“The Veterans Memorial Bridge connects neighborhoods between Ohio City in downtown, but it also connects us to our river,” said Ronayne.
Detroit-Superior Bridge through the years (1915-1947)
For the lower deck, the connection hasn’t been as strong. Subway service ended in 1954, and ramps leading to the lower level were blocked a year later. Currently, it opens only a day or two each year for people to explore and take unique views of the city. Now, this part of our collective past, could have a re-imagined future.
“I mean, we've seen in New York the High Line we've seen in San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge. This is a Cleveland original,” said Ronayne.
Only days in office as the County Executive, Ronayne tweeted that a "low-line" sky park is a real possibility.
“There's 3100 feet of future public space with the greatest views to Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River Valley, downtown in Ohio City,” said Ronayne. “This is a regional project of regional benefit.”
We've seen glimpses of what public access to the lower deck could mean. In 2010, Ingenuity Fest, a celebration that transforms abandoned spaces with art, technology and entrepreneurship, took to the bridge.
“This is a fantastic location,” said IngenuityFest Program Director James Krouse back in 2010. “Most Clevelanders haven’t been in this space since the 1950’s. There are abandoned subway stations on either side of the river. A big open span so you can enjoy the nice weather. If it rains you have a roof over your head. It is just a nice space to enjoy.”
Last open to the public in 2019, it attracted more than 17,000 visitors. But this coming weekend, June 23rd and 24th, you will have another chance to rediscover this architectural gem as it opens for tours.
And while there, you can have a say in its future.
“Help us think about how we should program it in the future,” said Ronayne. “It's a great walking space. It's a potential bike commuter space. It's potentially a great artistic space.”
For over a century, the Veterans Memorial Bridge connected commuters to our city, now its future has hope of making a different type of connection.
“It's an homage to our history of transportation, of making things,” said Ronayne. “Explore the possible what's really possible on the lower level of the Detroit Superior Veterans Memorial Bridge.”
Information below about the public events from Cuyahoga County:
On Friday, June 23, the public is invited to participate in a conversation with local leaders and other residents about their vision for creating public access to the underside of the bridge. This community dialogue will be hosted on the underside of the bridge from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
On Saturday, June 24, the Veterans Memorial Bridge and Subway Tour returns.
Gates open at 10:00 a.m. and the event ends at 6:00 p.m., with the last admission at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are not required. Food trucks, live entertainment, and educational tables will also be featured during the tour.
The main entrance for both the community conversation and the tour is 2433 Superior Viaduct, at the northeast corner of the West 25th Street and Detroit Avenue intersections. Volunteers will be on-site to assist visitors.
