A WATERFRONT CITY
BIG VISION AND BOLD INVESTMENT ARE REDEFINING THE WATERFRONT
A Waterfront Cit y
“ The North Coast Connector will fundamentally change how the lakefront interacts with
Downtown
Scott, Skinner, Executive Director North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation
New projects and partnerships set to transform Cleveland’s lakefront and riverfront.
“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water,” said the late Loren Eiseley, American philosopher and natural science writer With Lake Erie to its north and the Cuyahoga River winding its way through the city and beyond, Cleveland was shaped by this most fluid element
Cleveland’s waterfronts provided the city with a stage for early industrialization, energy production and dominance in transportation. And while that act isn’t over, a new era is beginning. Add to all that, new and improved access to outdoor and recreational opportunities add to Cleveland’s growing reputation as a destination for health and wellness. There are shovels in the ground, cranes in the air and pilings in the water as the result of transformational projects, as well as many civic, private and
nonprofit collaborations. With waterfront investments totaling nearly $5 billion, Downtown Cleveland and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as the entire region, are set to see economic gain and national attention.
The city’s Shore-to-Core-to-Shore development plan, designed to reconnect Cleveland’s downtown business district with its two waterfronts, is helping guide the way
“Th e r e i s a lo t o f mom e ntu m alon g th e lak e fron t an d alon g th e riv e r, ” say s Bri a n Zimmerman , Cl e velan d Met r opark s chi e f ex e cutiv e of fi cer
A boate r himsel f an d self-describe d ‘water-centr i c pe r son , ’ Zimmerma n adds , “E v e n mor e cru i s e ship s ar e com i n g int o town Th e r e ar e man y reason s w e shoul d no w b e recognize d a s a gr e a t wat e rfron t city. ”
North Coast Harbor Lake Erie: Aerial Agents / The Flats Cuyahoga River: Destination Cleveland
Lake Erie
One of the five Great Lakes, Lake Erie is a mirror of Cleveland’s historical, economic, cultural and recreational past, present and future. Enhanced connectivity marks a new chapter for the city.
North Coast Connector: The land bridge, part of the $447 million North Coast Connector project, has been described by Scott Skinner, executive director of the North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, as a floating park. Six acres of new land, extending the city’s downtown park-like Malls to Lake Erie, will be built above railroad tracks and reconfigured roadways. The bridge will provide pedestrians and non-motorized traffic safe and easy connectivity. Think of it this way: Right now, it would take someone 40 minutes to walk from the Huntington Convention Center to the lakefront. With bridge access, it will take five minutes.
The land bridge, part of the $284 million Phase 1 of the project, is fully funded with federal, state and bondissue money. Construction is expected to begin in late 2027 with a 2030 completion date circled. Phase 1 also includes the realignment of the Shoreway (OH-2) to create a more city boulevardlike configuration.
“The North Coast Connector will fundamentally change how the lakefront interacts with Downtown,” says Skinner, adding that while complete design plans have not yet been finalized, the connection project is moving forward.
North Coast Lakefront Master Plan: “Fifty acres is really a new neighborhood in Cleveland,” says Skinner. “We spent three years engaging with Clevelanders and people across Cuyahoga County to understand what they wanted to see for the Downtown waterfront. That’s access to public space and economic development opportunities.”
Confident that his team can deliver on what residents want, Skinner is looking forward to selected partner developers sitting down at the table in 2026 to get the ball rolling for this major lakefront development. In addition to public space, the area would be ripe for hospitality, bars, restaurants, retail, office, entertainment and residential plans. A fishing and beach pier, sports courts, playgrounds and a dog park are also ideas on the table. In addition, a Multimodal Transportation Center would bring Amtrak and RTA under one roof.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Expansion: By fall 2026, a $175 million renovation and expansion to the museum that opened in 1995 should be complete. About 50,000 square feet will be added to the existing 155,000 square feet, creating space for a new stage area, exhibit spaces and offices. The popular pyramid structure designed by architect I.M. Pei will remain. However, a new, triangle-shaped roof will cover the expansion. Look for larger traveling exhibits, bigger concerts and even greater impact to North Coast Harbor and Cleveland’s visitor economy.
Two new public gateways — one indoors and the other outdoors — will provide better connection to the lakefront. A new community park complete with ADA-compliant greenspace will complement the transformation.
©Cody York, ©Cody York, ©Nathan Migal, ©Nathan Migal, ©Destination Cleveland, ©William Reiter, ©Destination Cleveland, ©Lady Caroline, ©Cody York
CHEERS: At the end of this decade, cartographers will be busy updating maps that include changes to the Lake Erie shoreline a few miles east of Downtown Cleveland between the East 55th Street Marina and Gordon Park. Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy (CHEERS) plans to reshape Cleveland’s shoreline and create a new island. The goal is to create 100 acres of new parkland, provide additional recreational opportunities for residents and bring economic growth to the area. In the engineering and design stage now, the $300 million project is scheduled to start in 2029.
CHEERS creates more access to Lake Erie,” says Zimmerman. “It is a combined effort between the Port of Cleveland, Black Environmental Leaders, NEORSD, Cleveland Metroparks, the City of Cleveland, ODNR, ODOT and a host of others.”
Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center and Gordon Park Expansion: The first endeavor of its kind along Lake Erie in Ohio, the sailing center has generated even more excitement than anticipated. Construction of the $18.5 million facility began in 2025 with an expected completion date of 2026. The 24,000-square-foot center and accompanying Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Boathouse, will provide new public access, skills classes and sailing opportunities to Cleveland’s East Side. Zimmerman notes that the center will also be a year-round destination for education, community and sporting events, retail, recreation, dining and marina operations.
The 48-acre Gordon Park, east of the East 55th Street Marina, came under the operation and management of the Cleveland Metroparks in 2023. Zimmerman says work began the winter of 2025 on a $10 million reimagining of the park. Amenities
on the drawing board include walking trails, a great lawn, play environments, a pavilion and a sunset bridge.
Mandel Community Trail: In 2026 this new 2.7-mile, off-road segment of the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway between East 9th Street and East 55th Street will be completed along North Marginal Road. The $10.8 million project is a vital link, providing access through the Downtown, St. Clair-Superior and Glenville neighborhoods. Zimmerman says the trail will help guide people from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center, Gordon Park and other well-known destinations to the arts and cultural institutions of University Circle.
Euclid Beach Transformation Plan:
In 2025, the iconic Euclid Beach Park Arch, once the entrance to a beloved amusement park that opened in 1895 and closed in 1969, was moved from its original location. For many years, it towered over the narrow East 159th Street in danger of being struck by traffic. Its new home is about 150 feet away in the future home of Euclid Beach Arch Park.
The moving of the arch was a physical accomplishment, but also further confirmation of continued commitment to the historic park area and shoreline.
In recognition of those memories and to create better access for all, the $10 million Euclid Beach Transformation Plan will create a continuous shoreline park in the area and will be managed by the Cleveland Metroparks. Composed of three public spaces, including Euclid Beach, Villa Angela Park and Wildwood Marina, the plan calls for adding 30 acres of green space.
The City of Cleveland also hopes to revitalize its Collinwood neighborhood within the park land. A master plan includes the reimagining of Lakeshore Boulevard and East 185th Street Corridor for local economic growth.
CUYAHOGA RIVER
Flowing into Lake Erie, the nearly 85-mile-long Cuyahoga River was once known for being both polluted and neglected. But the “Crooked River” has since reclaimed its role as a critical provider of commerce, power, transportation and recreation. Now a National Heritage River, the Cuyahoga River is recognized for its ongoing environmental protection efforts and its contributions to Cleveland.
The Riverfront Cleveland: Progress continues to radically change the property along the Cuyahoga River below Tower City and Rocket Arena. Eventually the area will include 3.5 million square feet of new development and adaptive reuse, plus 35 acres of public and private land. The $3.5 billion riverfront transformation by Bedrock (part of the Rock family of real estate and placemaking companies), features plans for a potential one million square feet of office and retail space, 2,000 residential units and 12 acres of waterfront public space with a kayak launch.
Riverfront Cleveland also is part of Cleveland’s Shore-to-Core-to-Shore multi-decade development plan to improve the city’s connectivity for all residents and visitors.
Phase 1 work continues on the three-story Cleveland Clinic Peak Performance Center, which will serve as the new Cleveland Cavaliers NBA training facility. The center, expected to be completed in 2027, also will provide sports medical care to local and global athletes.
Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center: Cleveland Metroparks / The Riverfront Cleveland Master Plan: Bedrock
Irishtown Bend Park: When completed, this will be one of the largest waterfront parks between New York City and Chicago. Its 25 acres includes 17 acres of new green space, which will boast 1,000 newly planted trees. Irishtown Bend Park will be managed by the Cleveland Metroparks when the $65 million stabilization of its hillside by the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is completed by the end of 2025.
Park construction begins in 2026 with amenities including walking trails, an accessible play area for children, boardwalk, a two-acre event lawn with stage, a natural outdoor amphitheater and picnic and grilling areas.
Unique to the park is its Irishtown Bend Archaeological District Heritage Site, which is on the National Register of Historical Places. During the 1800s, Irish and European immigrants settled on the bend and became part of Cleveland’s multicultural fabric. Artifacts revealed during digs that it was a working-class settlement. Physical doorways will mark the locations of historic homes in the area.
Considered a neighborhood park in Ohio City, Irishtown Bend Park also is a regional project, according to Deanna Palermo, director of foundation relations for LAND Studio, a non-profit park advocate, instrumental in the $110 million park’s development. The Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail will run through the park, completing the link to a network of park districts trails.
“The last quarter mile, when completed, will connect Lake Erie 100 miles to the south and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park,” says Palermo. “It’s the most complicated section of the
whole trail network, but you won’t ever have to get off the trail to get to the Lake.”
Scranton Peninsula: Yesterday there were no residential opportunities in Scranton Peninsula in the Flats. Today there are amazing high-end rental and single-family housing that has created instant camaraderie among new neighbors.
Located on the Cuyahoga River, The Collins at the Riverbend includes 301 apartments and 15 townhomes in two five-story buildings. The two buildings at Silver Hills at the Flats features a riverfront pool and mostly one-bedroom units. Both new properties are near
BrewDog Cleveland, the Towpath Trail and easy paddleboarding access.
Canal Basin Park: The centerpiece of this 22-acre city greenspace, located in Downtown Cleveland on the east side of The Flats, will be an “ecological interpretation” of the historic Canal Basin that ceased to exist after 1874.
The basin (where the Ohio and Erie Canal met the Cuyahoga River) served as a hub, bringing people, goods and news into Cleveland’s first settlement and first center of commerce, according to Mera Cardenas, executive director of Canalway Partners.
“The basin will serve two purposes. It will be a very unique water feature for the park and serve as a sense of arrival for people coming from other (connecting) parks. And it will also take rainwater runoff from Veterans Memorial Bridge and the RTA Viaduct, circulate and clean it.”
Tentative plans for the new Canal Basin Park were approved in early 2025 with construction eyed for a 2026 start. When completed, the $30 million development will include a Cuyahoga River-themed playground, an accessible riverfront edge with boardwalk and the pedestrianization of Merwin Avenue. It’s predicted the park will be a connective hub to The Flats East Bank entertainment district.
Irishtown Bend Park: Land Studios / Scranton Peninsula: Roc / Canal Basin Park: Canalway Partners