February 14, 20241 yr Public Square receives $100,000 grant toward improvements Published: Feb. 13, 2024 By Megan Sims, cleveland.com Downtown Cleveland Inc., an organization focused on downtown development, was one of several winners of a $100,000 Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces, a New York City-based nonprofit that works to plan and design public spaces. Emily Putnam, the Public Spaces’ project manager involved with the Public Square project, said that the grant will provide both money and technical assistance. The grants are funded by General Motors. Downtown Cleveland Inc., said in a news release announcing the award Tuesday that the aim is to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment. https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2024/02/public-square-receives-100000-grant-toward-improvements.html
February 14, 20241 yr 43 minutes ago, Luke_S said: Public Square receives $100,000 grant toward improvements Published: Feb. 13, 2024 By Megan Sims, cleveland.com Downtown Cleveland Inc., an organization focused on downtown development, was one of several winners of a $100,000 Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces, a New York City-based nonprofit that works to plan and design public spaces. Emily Putnam, the Public Spaces’ project manager involved with the Public Square project, said that the grant will provide both money and technical assistance. The grants are funded by General Motors. Downtown Cleveland Inc., said in a news release announcing the award Tuesday that the aim is to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment. https://www.cleveland.com/realestate-news/2024/02/public-square-receives-100000-grant-toward-improvements.html "Downtown Cleveland Inc., said in a news release announcing the award Tuesday that the aim is to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment" Does this mean they're finally going to close Superior Avenue from running through the middle of the square?
February 14, 20241 yr Author Cleveland wins grants for Public Square, Ohio City public spaces By Ken Prendergast / February 14, 2024 A pair of $100,000 grants were awarded to improve two public spaces in Cleveland that are visited by people from throughout the metropolitan area and beyond. The grants were awarded by the New York City-based Project for Public Spaces from funding originally provided by the General Motors Corp. to offer more inclusive, welcoming environments. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/02/14/cleveland-wins-grants-for-public-square-ohio-city-public-spaces/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 17, 20241 yr On 2/13/2024 at 8:16 PM, Gabriel said: Does this mean they're finally going to close Superior Avenue from running through the middle of the square? I wonder why they opened the middle in the first place instead of just turning it into 1 square. Having busses go around it isn't a big hassle, is it?
February 17, 20241 yr Author 29 minutes ago, TBideon said: Isn't Superior a federal road? Yes, US Route 6 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 19, 20241 yr (Cross posting from Cleveland Events thread:) Interesting- Downtown Cleveland Alliance will be taking over programming of Public Square from the Group Plan Commission. https://signalcleveland.org/cleveland-public-square-to-get-new-landlord/ “…After hearing that the commission has been unresponsive to people trying to book events there this summer, Signal Cleveland learned of the behind-the-scenes discussions to change management of Public Square. It appears that Downtown Cleveland Inc., a nonprofit that promotes downtown, is in line to take a lead in the square’s future. Downtown Cleveland Inc. was formerly known as Downtown Cleveland Alliance before rebranding itself in 2023. The organization recently announced that it had won a $100,000 grant to make some modest upgrades and changes on the square. “ When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
February 19, 20241 yr It may not be a major change right away but this is excellent news. The GPC was a total joke and needs to be dissolved. Downtown CLE Is much more capable to maintain and activate the square properly. Hopefully this spreads to the Malls as well.
February 19, 20241 yr I forgot all about all the new lighting installations that are supposed to start in Public Square and stretch toward the Malls and down Euclid. If I remember correctly, it is supposed to debut in early Spring before the NCAA Women's Tournament. Hope this isn't delayed too... much like those motherf*@!*@g jersey barriers!
March 25, 20241 yr Changes coming to public square. 1:00 pm press conference today. https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/cleveland-public-square-renovations-construction-safety-transportation-mayor-justin-bibb/95-26ff09db-f856-4abf-8af6-dc080ffdd9f1
March 25, 20241 yr Sounds like this press conference is just to announce the removal of the Jersey barriers.
March 25, 20241 yr Seems that way. Probably having a lot to do with the big time upcoming tourism week.
March 25, 20241 yr Author Cleveland Public Square’s continuing transformation By Ken Prendergast / March 25, 2024 Construction started today on the Group Plan Commission’s Superior Crossing Project with a ceremonial farewell to the unpopular and infamous concrete barriers that have stood on Public Square since its major reconstruction eight years ago. But for the next three months, that means some traffic reroutes, bus detours and transit stop relocations to learn. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/03/25/cleveland-public-squares-continuing-transformation/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 25, 20241 yr I laughed at the car parked behind Rebol during the entire ceremony! I also wished someone asked why so many trees have died around the splash fountain and instead of them being replaced they just add more pavers. Here is a reminder of the plan. Edited March 25, 20241 yr by dave2017
March 25, 20241 yr city and county sure are taking the opportunity to pat themselves on the back for taking 8 years to fix a problem they created
March 25, 20241 yr 17 minutes ago, dave2017 said: I laughed at the car parked behind Rebol during the entire ceremony! I also wished someone asked why so many trees have died around the splash fountain and instead of them being replaced they just add more pavers. Here is a reminder of the plan. I'll take anything at this point, but this fix shows a complete lack of understanding of the original design. People were supposed to flow along the 'butterfly' wings. The crosswalks should continue along those paths, but instead it looks like they are trying to place the bollards close enough together to prevent or at least discourage people from walking where the original plan intended. They should have raised the whole middle area up to curb height and made it one large crosswalk area, bollards should have the crosswalk spacing throughout that distance. They are meant to stop vehicles not pedestrians, they don't need to be so close together.
March 25, 20241 yr Are those front-end loaders one-time-use only, like a disposable camera? Why else did they need a separate machine for each jersey barrier?
March 25, 20241 yr 1 hour ago, ryanfrazier said: Are those front-end loaders one-time-use only, like a disposable camera? Why else did they need a separate machine for each jersey barrier? Ceremonial. Each dignitary blew an airhorn and waved a flag and then a barrier got moved. Tad awkward with the trailer behind having to be moved back and forth between the three, but a lot faster than a machine crawling between the three (maybe).
March 25, 20241 yr I would love to know how much money was spent for this ceremonial removal of 3 jersey barrier sections! I wish someone had the common sense over these past 8 years to see if all of these securities were ever really necessary and the original design was sufficient. The butterfly promenade crosswalk paths should have been reinstated and the central crosswalk markings removed. since RTA buses were the only transpiration allowed the drivers could have been taught to know where to stop.
April 3, 20241 yr Public Square Visioning Workshop This workshop is the first step in our engagement with Project for Public Spaces, a world-renowned public space expert dedicated to helping people create and sustain places that build stronger communities. The workshop will focus on identifying easy-to-implement improvements that will make it a vibrant place for residents, office workers, and visitors to enjoy. Come share your ideas and contribute to the vision for an active and safe Public Square. We respect your time and promise a fast-paced, engaging, participatory workshop. Bring your walking shoes as we will be doing some brainstorming on-site! Food will be provided. Please join us at one of the following workshops, held at 75 Public Square: Wednesday, April 17 - 5:30-7:30pm (dinner provided) Thursday, April 18 - 12-2pm (lunch provided) Please RSVP here on Eventbrite by Tuesday, April 16th. We look forward to getting your feedback and hearing your ideas! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-square-visioning-workshop-tickets-876130849957?aff=oddtdtcreator
May 9, 20241 yr Just letting people know that there is a PS webcam so we can watch the construction happen in real time! https://www.webcamtaxi.com/en/usa/ohio/public-square-cleveland.html
May 9, 20241 yr What's nice about Rittenhouse Square in Philly is it has nice little cafe's and restaurants in buildings around the square. Would be nice to see that happen with Hotel Cleveland retail space.
May 10, 20241 yr When viewing the Public Square webcam, does anyone know why they removed all the pole lighting? They are currently surrounded by orange plastic fencing.
May 10, 20241 yr Looking at the cam l was wondering about that too and hoping they were for some more big trees. No such luck.
May 10, 20241 yr Are any of these bollards removable? I ask this question since during the winter months they bring in large shipping containers for the ice rink rentals and zamboni storage. If these aren't removable how will they get around this issue? Does this round of bollard installations continue around the outskirts of The Square or is only Superior being addressed? Lots of vehicles still park behind Rebol on a daily basis.
June 4, 20241 yr I heard word from Cleveland Inc. that the lamp posts that have been removed from Public Square are being reworks for the This is Cleveland lighting projections project that should be installed for use hopefully by the end of August
June 21, 2024Jun 21 From JACK's FB page today. https://www.facebook.com/share/9A1stH94e4xBWQBb/?mibextid=WC7FNe
June 21, 2024Jun 21 It sure would be nice to see a mural on the side of the Standard Building someday.
June 21, 2024Jun 21 I've noticed that they have removed the stage platform from the lawn. I wonder why this was. The splash fountain is also to be turned on June 22! Lastly the fences have been removed and one can traverse thru the center of the square again. My wish is that the trees that have died and were replaced. with more paving stones could be replaced with more trees. The southern section of the park is lacking in shade. Edited June 21, 2024Jun 21 by dave2017
June 22, 2024Jun 22 Author Some street-level views.... https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jayemery2_cle-cleveland-downtowncleveland-activity-7210030523606343681-49ly?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop A sample: "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 22, 2024Jun 22 On 3/25/2024 at 2:19 PM, dave2017 said: I laughed at the car parked behind Rebol during the entire ceremony! I also wished someone asked why so many trees have died around the splash fountain and instead of them being replaced they just add more pavers. Here is a reminder of the plan. The bollards look much further spaced apart in the pictures than in the plan (above). Hopefully people will be easily able to 'jaywalk' in the originally planned crossing location rather than the misplaced central one.
June 22, 2024Jun 22 I'm not sure that PS will ever be a dynamic urban environment given the surrounding development. It's essentially office buildings that turn their backs to the square. A dream for me would've been completely abandoning Superior in the center, and opening it up to lite retail and dining development. Obviously small spaces. Maybe something along the lines of a Quincy Market (Boston) type scale that combines retail and quick bites market style. This concepte would've included reducing the size of the square maybe by about 15' along the southern half and northern half to create slightly more space for the retail. In the end, we would've had a north square and a south square traversing the development. If that didnt work, then abondon one of the halfs of the square, and open it up for retail development amd just have a smaller park. As it stands now, we have PS with nothing for visitors around it essentially flowing into the malls, again with nothing whatsoever around them. Just a ton of grass and some trees and under utilized office space. Gives you a sense of, "ok, what now" when your standing in the space. Definitely not surrounded by the development that created the park over 100 years ago making it completely unfunctional in the current, present day environment, and unfortunately, a very underwhelming experience for visitors.
June 22, 2024Jun 22 As long as PS remains a hub for RTA, I don't think we can expect much more. Perhaps at some point in the future, Superior can be closed to create a unified square which would make it a bit more park-like, kind of a mini version of Boston Common. But that won't happen as long as the FTA is preventing the city from doing so. Edited June 22, 2024Jun 22 by LibertyBlvd
June 22, 2024Jun 22 I just read that the due to technical difficulties the splash pad couldn't be turned on today, June 22nd.
June 22, 2024Jun 22 I just can't believe how improved PS is today by just looking that that pic. The improvements outside the bus lane are transformative with all the new apartments and SW HQ. If they can open small cafe's and shops like Rotten House Square, the city center will be much more impactful.
June 24, 2024Jun 24 PS will never reach its full potential as long as it remains open to bus traffic. And that won't (can't?) change without an act of Congress lol. But seriously, our hands are tied here and that's too bad. There are several iterations of the Square most of us on this forum could offer up without much effort that would be an improvement over what's allowed by the parties in charge. So were stuck with a better Square but our hands are tied and as long as the status quo exists we have a park that will never be what it should be.
June 24, 2024Jun 24 It definitely is an improvement over the jersey barriers. I like the look before all the street striping will occur. Another question is why are there 2 traffic signals per direction when only 2 lanes remain through the central crossing?
June 24, 2024Jun 24 5 minutes ago, dave2017 said: It definitely is an improvement over the jersey barriers. I like the look before all the street striping will occur. Another question is why are there 2 traffic signals per direction when only 2 lanes remain through the central crossing? I also liked the look without striping when I biked through. Pavers done well like this can inform behavior pretty well. The bus traffic signals are the originals. Its a smaller detail, but it would be worth removing one of the inner signal fixtures on each pole.
July 12, 2024Jul 12 Destination Cleveland awarded state funds for family-friendly Public Square KIM PALMER July 12, 2024 A one-time, $750,000 state appropriation kicks off a plan to create a more inclusive and family-friendly Public Square, part of a larger Downtown Cleveland Inc. retail strategy. LAND Studio will partner with Downtown Cleveland Inc. to use money from the state’s $700 million-plus One-Time Strategic Community Investments Fund (OTSCIF) to create a Public Square that will make visitors and residents want to linger downtown. ... The earmarked funds will be used to kickstart the implementation of a recent Downtown Retail Strategy. One of its key recommendations is to create more places for social interaction throughout Cleveland’s multiple commercial corridors and public spaces, with the end goal of bringing more visitors to the city. https://www.crainscleveland.com/politics-policy/one-time-state-funds-set-cleveland-public-square-project
July 19, 2024Jul 19 This looks good in person. I'm glad they finally did it. They also maintained the spacing of the bollards throughout, they aren't artificially forcing people to the crosswalk like I feared. I'm guessing the auto bollards aren't operational yet?
July 19, 2024Jul 19 Such a waste of money. Jihad isn't coming to Tower City and it never was. We're just paying for Frank's tantrum all these years later.
August 16, 2024Aug 16 Author Downtown Cleveland Inc. takes over management of Public Square By Ken Prendergast / August 15, 2024 Cleveland City Council has passed legislation transferring the management, marketing and programming for Public Square to Downtown Cleveland, Inc., effective upon Mayor Justin Bibb’s signature. This transition underscores Downtown Cleveland’s ongoing commitment to revitalizing the core and builds on the organization’s recent successes in securing significant funding for Public Square enhancements. MORE: https://neo-trans.blog/2024/08/15/downtown-cleveland-inc-takes-over-management-of-public-square/ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 20, 2024Aug 20 Here is what I hope transferring management brings to Public Square. 1. Better maintenance/upkeep. The planting beds can look bare and also overgrown. So many trees that have died have been cut down and not replaced. Any tree that is removed shouldn't be replaced by an additional hardscape. This is mainly happening in the southern portion of Public Square 2.More public restroom facilities. I would love to see the addition of something that families could rent towels and the facility could also provide changing stations for families and workers to change into or out of swimming clothes to enjoy the splash pad 3. A permanent awning over the oval stage. It would be nice to have a permanent overhang instead of the tents that cover the stage. Build something that can hold a sound system and lighting for events on an annual basis. 4. Security. provide a security ambassador kiosk or facility that helps to watch over and maintain order within the park 5. New public art rotated throughout. 6. Close Superior for food trucks once a week since the raptor system should make it easier to do on a weekly basis. 7. Farmer's Market on The Square once a week. Again along Superior. 8. Stop Rebol staff from long term parking on/in The Square. 9. Winterfest. Would love to see Public Square closed during the December month as Christkindlmarket/ Holiday Market similar to Chicago's. Let's theme the skate rental better than bringing shipping containers onto Public Square. 10. The more activities that are brought to the park the better it will be
August 21, 2024Aug 21 Man @dave2017 if you aren't an urban planner you should be. You have clearly articulated what makes an urban park successful.
Create an account or sign in to comment