News Summary
Cleveland has been awarded a $69 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to revamp its lakefront infrastructure. This funding aims to improve access to Downtown’s lakefront and build a land bridge from North Coast Harbor to Downtown Cleveland, with construction expected to begin in 2027. Overall, the lakefront project has garnered a total of $150 million in funding, contributing to the city’s urban development and accessibility efforts, benefiting the community and economy.
Cleveland has secured a $69 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, marking a significant step in a major lakefront infrastructure revamp. The funding, announced by Congresswoman Shontel Brown and Mayor Justin Bibb, aims to enhance access to the Downtown lakefront and create a land bridge stretching from North Coast Harbor to Downtown Cleveland.
This federal grant is part of a broader commitment to lakefront development, with Cleveland now having secured a total of $150 million in state and federal funding for various lakefront projects. Construction on the newly funded infrastructure is projected to begin in 2027, with an overall cost estimate for the lakefront project around $450 million.
Infrastructure and Design Details
The proposed land bridge, which is designed to be 120 feet wide, will connect Mall C to the Great Lakes Science Center. In addition to this landmark feature, the lakefront vision also includes the North Coast Connector and a reconfiguration of the existing Shoreway. The plan entails transforming the Shoreway into a slower boulevard, equipped with sidewalks, crosswalks, and a multipurpose trail to provide better accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
Funding and Support
Alongside the federal grant, funding for the project will come from an interest-free federal loan and bonds that are linked to future property tax revenues anticipated from Downtown development and real estate appreciation. In effort to bolster financing for public infrastructure initiatives focusing on the lakefront, the city has also established a new tax-increment financing district.
Future Prospects
City leadership, including Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, underscored the collaboration between local officials and federal partners in progressing this ambitious vision for the city’s lakefront. In addition to these lakefront developments, several other infrastructure projects are underway or scheduled for completion in 2025—these include refurbishments of bridges and renovations of municipal buildings.
Community Impact and Sports Venues
While the Cleveland Browns are currently considering moving their home games to a new facility in Brook Park, city officials remain dedicated to revitalizing the lakefront, irrespective of the team’s eventual decision. The ongoing enhancement of the lakefront is expected to provide long-lasting benefits to the community, encouraging both economic growth and improved public access to recreational spaces.
Conclusion
This latest funding highlight underscores Cleveland’s commitment to transforming its lakefront area, making it more accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. With a significant investment from the federal government as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law championed by President Joe Biden, the Cleveland lakefront project is set to play an important role in the city’s urban development and accessibility efforts in the coming years.
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Additional Resources
- News 5 Cleveland: Cleveland wins $69 million federal grant for lakefront land bridge and Shoreway makeover
- Wikipedia: Infrastructure
- Cleveland.com: Chagrin Falls Main story of 2024 bridge construction
- Google Search: Cleveland bridge construction
- Spectrum News: Cleveland North Coast Connector project funding
- Google Scholar: Cleveland lakefront development
- Freshwater Cleveland: Masterworks Hope Memorial Bridge
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cleveland bridge development
- WKYC: Frustration grows as two main Cleveland bridges remain under construction
- Google News: Cleveland infrastructure
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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
