CLEVELAND — After a long anticipated wait, the Irishtown Bend Cuyahoga River stabilization project is officially underway.
On Friday, community officials gathered for an official groundbreaking ceremony of the project. The project will prevent the hillside from sliding into the Cuyahoga River and will transform the land into a 23-acre public park with waterfront access.
The following were in attendance at the event:
- U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
- Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb
- Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne
- Councilman Kerry McCormack and Council President Blaine Griffin
- NOACA Executive Director and CEO Grace Gallucci
- NEORD CEO Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells
- Cleveland Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalve
- Port of Cleveland President and CEO William Friedman
"So many of us have fought for so long to get this project done, and today we finally begin this new chapter for our Lake and for Cleveland," said Brown. “The Irishtown Bend Project will play an important role in the continued economic resurgence of Northeast Ohio, connecting communities with the riverfront, protecting vital waterways, and encouraging future economic and maritime development.”
3News streamed the groundbreaking ceremony live, which can be watched below:
“The Port of Cleveland is proud to stand alongside so many partners and community members celebrating the stabilization of Irishtown Bend. This critical economic and environmental project is the culmination of over a decade of work planning, educating and marshaling resources,” said William Friedman, President and CEO of the Port of Cleveland. “Throughout that time, Senator Brown, and our Congressional and State legislative delegations have been steadfast supporters of this project and provided critical resources to our ability to be here today.”
Irishtown Bend is located between West 25th Street and the Cuyahoga River near Columbus Road and the Detroit Superior Bridge. Officials say the construction project to stabilize and rehabilitate the hillside is expected to take 18 to 24 months. Afterward, the area will be transformed into a park. The project's total cost is projected to be around $100 million.
