Downtown Cleveland Public Realm Plan

Reimagining Mobility and Public Space in the Heart of Downtown Cleveland

Downtown Cleveland continues to experience resurgence as new development, reinvestment, and major events draw residents and visitors alike to the city’s core. Nowhere is this momentum more visible than around Public Square, the civic heart of Cleveland. Here is where the new Sherwin-Williams headquarters is reshaping the skyline, Hotel Cleveland has reopened after a complete transformation, and the Terminal Tower complex continues to thrive as a mixed-use landmark. Additionally, adjacent areas are evolving, with Bedrock Development planning large-scale improvements that connect the Gateway Sports Complex to the Cuyahoga River.

As activity intensifies, the design and functionality of the public realm surrounding Public Square have become critical to sustaining downtown’s vitality. OHM Advisors led a comprehensive connectivity and public realm plan to reimagine how people move through and experience this central hub. The study examined the area’s complex transportation network and developed strategies to improve safety, accessibility, and overall efficiency for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and motorists alike.

Guided by extensive community and stakeholder engagement, the planning process included public workshops, walking tours, focus groups, and surveys to capture how Clevelanders use and envision this space. The resulting plan outlines a set of short- and long-term recommendations, including improved pedestrian crossings, expanded protected bike facilities, enhanced transit flow, and reduced vehicular dominance around the Square. Together, these strategies create a blueprint for a safer, more connected, and people-centered downtown that celebrates Cleveland’s ongoing renaissance.