CLEVELAND, Ohio — Let there be light it was said to push away the darkness.
There is something about light which can renew the human spirit. When I saw that Destination Cleveland – the convention and visitors bureau people – wanted to artistically illuminate parts of downtown Cleveland next year, the lightbulb turned on in me.
The proposal to put more artistic light in dark spaces, to brighten Cleveland's brick and mortar, can give the city a vibrancy. Just imagine electric designs splashed on buildings and monuments bursting with color, putting us Greater Clevelanders in a comforting glow. It ought to even help bring on more of the good times with the plan to light from Public Square along Euclid Avenue to Playhouse Square. Such lighting could do something for all of us. Help us celebrate ourselves.
"It will create a mood of buoyancy and optimism downtown. I think it will attract people and call attention to the beautiful architecture of our city," said Steven Litt who is the veteran Art and Architecture Critic of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
"This is a project of Destination Cleveland which wants to enhance tourism, fill up hotel rooms," Litt expanded.
For years, Cleveland's signature downtown tower has been colorfully lit. It has been a beacon in more ways than one. But long before the tower, Cleveland had unique downtown lighting.
In 1879, our community became the world's first "City of Lights" when Cleveland arc light inventor Charles Brush demonstrated public street lighting on Public Square. Brush constructed 12 lamps around Public Square, making ours the first outdoor public space in the world fully electrically illuminated.
When they threw the switch, Cleveland's light was bright. In fact, the brightest in all the world.
A replica of Brush's light anchored on the historic Key Bank branch is a reminder of this city's historic moment.
In June, the plan is for Cleveland to burst with artistic light bathing showing Public Square and Euclid Avenue to Playhouse Square and the Mall area with a glow. A $7.5 million dollar project with Destination Cleveland covering almost half the tab.
"Hopefully that will encourage more retail and more restaurants and perhaps we'll see dining out on the sidewalks," Litt said.
Additionally, the light should lessen crime, while at the same time heighten our community self-image. Long ago, whoever said, "Give light and the people will find their way," had it right.
Cleveland is counting on this bright idea whose time has come.