CLEVELAND — Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has introduced legislation to authorize the removal of temporary barriers from Public Square to be replaced by “modern and removable bollards.”
“The proposed legislation authorizes the removal of the jersey barriers and replacement with bollards that will ensure safety, enhance the city’s ability to open and close the square for public events and authorize the Group Plan Commission to enter into a contract to start the design and construction of the improvements,” according to a press release from Mayor Bibb’s office.
The proposed legislation provides up to $1.5 million in funding from the capital budget for removal, repair and redesign work. Mayor Bibb’s office added the preliminary estimated cost of the project to replace the concrete barriers and repair the Superior crossing is approximately $3 million.
“In addition to funds previously set aside by the City, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will be considering an investment,” according to Mayor Bibb’s office. “The Group Plan Commission will have an opportunity to evaluate cost effectiveness and pursue additional funding through private and philanthropic investments.”
The Group Plan Commission is the project team responsible for delivering the project on behalf of the city “and consists of the original architects, engineers, contractors and project managers who understand the complexities of constructing permanent barriers, with knowledge of the significant underground existing infrastructure. Removal requires surgical precision to ensure utilities below the surface are not damaged.”
Mayor Bibb said Public Square should be the people’s park while saying the barriers have been in the way.
“Today, my administration is taking the first step towards removing these barriers and restoring Public Square to its original intent – to serve as a meeting place in the heart of our city.”
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on March 1, 2022.
