DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND – Downtown Cleveland partners involved in the renovation of Public Square have announced the maintenance of traffic plan that outlines changes to traffic and transit routes during construction of the square, which could begin as early as February 23.

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The Group Plan Commission (GPC) presented the maintenance of traffic overview at today’s Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s (GCRTA) Planning and Development Committee meeting.

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During the renovation of Public Square, Ontario Street and Superior Avenue within the square will be closed to all traffic. The surrounding Public Square Roadways and Rockwell Avenue will offer access to bus traffic and local vehicular traffic only.

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During construction (February 2015 – June 2016), changes include:

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·         Only RTA and necessary property access around Public Square (including valet, garage access, etc.)

·         Bus stops, shelters and bus layover areas reorganized to accommodate full Public Square closure

·         All bus routes and transfers remain within one block of Public Square

·         The HealthLine stop across from Tower City stays open

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*Please see the attached map for additional information.

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The maintenance of traffic plan was created with frequent and in-depth agency coordination with the City of Cleveland Division of Traffic Engineering, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA).

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“The renovation of Public Square has been a vision of Mayor Jackson for many years now and after months of meticulous planning and research, it is very exciting to see this project move towards commencement,” said City of Cleveland Chief of Regional Development Edward Rybka.

 

“After the completion of the project, Public Square will be transformed into a pedestrian and bike-friendly greenspace in the heart of Downtown Cleveland for all residents and visitors to enjoy. This project will be a historic milestone for the city and serve as the front yard of Cleveland to the rest of the world.”

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As construction projects are underway, efforts have been made to reduce the impact on drivers, transit riders and everyone who lives or travels Downtown. DowntownCleveland.com will be a source for up-to-date information on projects and street closures along with route suggestions, and RideRTA.com will house current information on bus routes and schedule changes. 

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“We believe that we have created a maintenance of traffic plan that will keep RTA convenient all throughout construction,” said RTA CEO and General Manager Joe Calabrese.  “We have worked out a way to have our stops easily accessible for our thousands of customers who travel through Public Square daily.”

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Downtown Cleveland is experiencing a level of investment and national attention that hasn’t been seen in years.  Public Square is the largest of the construction projects breaking ground Downtown in the coming months. No place is more central to Clevelanders than Public Square—its transformation will bring people together, connect pockets of existing economic development and spur further growth which benefits the entire region.  

 

GroupPlan.org features details about the Public Square transformation, including images. Thanks to significant commitments by public, private and philanthropic leaders, the Group Plan Commission has the resources and broad support needed to deliver on this transformation of Public Square by summer 2016.

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"We have been working hand in hand with RTA, the City and other public partners to develop a clear construction plan for Public Square that reduces disruption for everyone who lives, works and plays Downtown,” said Group Plan Commission Executive Director Jeremy Paris.  “We are excited to begin construction soon and to open the transformed Public Square in 2016 as a welcoming space that incorporates easily accessible public transit with inviting green areas and pathways and a wide-variety of activities."

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Other projects breaking ground soon include infrastructure improvements and road resurfacing to enhance the appearance and usability of Downtown Cleveland. Careful thought has been put into alternate routes for vehicular, transit and pedestrian traffic, so that Downtown Cleveland continues to be accessible for those who live, work and visit. Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA)’s website, DowntownCleveland.com, will be a resource for updates on the latest construction information and closures.

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 “As Downtown continues to grow as a destination to live, work and play, improvements are being made to our infrastructure, streets and public spaces,” said President and CEO of Downtown Cleveland Alliance Joe Marinucci. “These projects will continue the momentum we are currently experiencing and create a sustainable foundation for the future of Downtown Cleveland.

 

We’re excited to see this momentum take physical shape in the renovation of Public Square.” The transformation of Public Square, as well as other improvement projects happening across Downtown Cleveland, is slated for completion in summer 2016.

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Contacts:

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City of Cleveland

Dan Ball
216-664-3691
DBall@city.cleveland.oh.us

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Downtown Cleveland Alliance

Meghan Tinker
216-325-0992
MTinker@DowntownCleveland.com

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Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority 

Linda Scardilli Krecic
216-566-5211
lkrecic@gcrta.org

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Group Plan Commission

Jeremy Paris
216-592-2434
jparis@groupplan.org