Updates approved for Public Square in Cleveland

Nov 23, 2023

CLEVELAND — The City of Cleveland announced on Friday that the Cleveland Planning Commission has given the green light on a project focused on upgrading Public Square, which includes the removal of concrete barriers.

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Specifically, the project will work on the Superior Avenue crossing and the removal of the jersey barriers. The final project hopes to add more pedestrian space and a safer crossing at Superior Avenue.

"The approved plan reserves two entry and exit lanes for buses and creates permanent curb extensions in the center of Public Square, narrowing the middle portion of the roadway to one lane in each direction to increase pedestrian safety while maintaining bus operations," said the City of Cleveland in a release.

The final plan comes after more than a dozen small group coordinating sessions took place, as well as multiple site visits and a review of eight different design alternatives.

"I appreciate the thorough and thoughtful work that the team put in to get this plan right," said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. "Public Square is the people's park, and this plan reflects that vision while prioritizing safety, function and aesthetics."

The jersey barriers will be replaced by security bollards that will be aligned with curb extensions in order to increase pedestrian space, delineate the roadway from the park and restrict unauthorized vehicular access.

Additionally, a Superior Avenue special events closure plan will add nine retractable raptor bollards to either end of the Public Square section of Superior Avenue, at East Roadway and West Roadway, to close off the area to traffic for special events.

Cleveland will issue permits to the Group Plan Commission and contractor for work to begin. The first phase will include the custom bollard and raptors being ordered, followed by barrier removal, curb replacement, signal upgrades, crosswalk removal, replacement, striping and bollard instillation.

The execution of the plan is scheduled to begin in late fall, pending the availability of materials, weather and previously scheduled events happening in Public Square.

Officials noted that a protected bikeway around Public Square will occur as a separate phase of the improvement.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on May 16, 2023.

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