Public Square Redesign September 30, 2011

About the Work

The redesign of Public Square has the ability to transform the landscape and connections in downtown Cleveland. 

How It Started

Approximately 125,000 people work within a 5 minute walk of Public Square. Tower City is the central hub for the Rapid and Public Square is a central hub for RTA buses.

Additionally, most downtown car commuters travel through Public Square. Many people walk across the Square on their way to work, to a restaurant for lunch, or to run an errand. However, few people actually stop and spend time in the Square. The streets which separate the four quadrants make it difficult for pedestrians to move from one quadrant to the other. Additionally, the Square’s landscaping blocks the view from the road which makes some people feel isolated and unsafe.

The main purpose of the reconstruction is to make Public Square a more attractive and welcoming space for families, workers and passers-by. The project’s designers intend for Public Square to become a more pedestrian friendly and unified space. The four individual quadrants will be unified through common features and themes. New features and activities within each quadrant are intended to help make Public Square a downtown attraction year-round.

The Outcome

We have developed schematic designs and a project budget for Public Square in order to determine feasibility and mechanism for future project delivery.  We are aggressively engaging in discussion with the Greater Cleveland Partnership and the Group Plan commission to identify innovative funding sources in order to achieve the Public Square redesign.  James Corner Field Operations, the designer chosen for the project, continues to be involved and committed to making the redesign plans a reality.  

http://blog.cleveland.com/architecture/2011/10/cleveland_mayor_frank_jackson.html