CLEVELAND — What’s next for the future of Public Square in downtown Cleveland? First and foremost, you won't be seeing those eyesore concrete barriers any longer.
City and county officials, including Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, held a press conference on Monday to kick off the Superior Crossing project. They also took part in the symbolic removal of the jersey barriers.
“Today is finally the day we get to turn the lights off on the concrete barriers and bench them for good – just in time before thousands of visitors make their way here for next weekend’s Final Four and Solar Eclipse events,” said Bibb. “It has been a bumpier road than we originally thought, but I’m extremely grateful to those who provided funding and am happy to deliver on this campaign promise that will improve the People’s Park so that everyone in our city will be able to better access this great asset.”
Planners say Superior Crossing addresses the portion of Superior Avenue that crosses through Public Square, including the installation of bollards along both sides of Superior Avenue and perimeter bollards at the northeast, northwest and southwest corners of Public Square. There will also be an elevated crosswalk in the center of Superior Avenue, plus retractable traffic safety barriers, called "Raptors," at both the east and west ends of Superior Ave. in Public Square.
What is the timetable?
Monday's barrier removal ceremony began what planners call "the soft phase" of the project, which will also include adjacent statutes being removed. After the conclusion of the large events being held between April 5-8 (NCAA Women's Final Four, total solar eclipse, Guardians home opener), work on the "full construction phase" will begin. That work will include utility work, lighting installation, bollard/Raptor construction, testing and implementation.
The project is expected to be completed in late June or early July.
"Public Square holds immense significance for our residents and visitors, the City of Cleveland and the region,” added Ronayne. “This project will complete the vision of Public Square as a premier public space that welcomes pedestrians and transit riders and celebrates our history.”
The city of Cleveland provided $1.5 million towards the project after passing legislation in 2022. Cuyahoga County contributed over $1 million and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) added another $500,000. Additional funds came from KeyBank, The Sherwin-Williams Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, Bedrock, Cleveland Cavaliers, Rocket Mortgage, and JACK Entertainment.