Between August 24 and September 8, community members will host free events and vendors, while exploring the influence of a permanent expansion
August 23, 2024 — Cleveland — Today, the City of Cleveland announced the temporary two-week closure of West 29th Street, expanding space for pedestrians and creating a safe, enjoyable area for community use.
The temporary closure between Clinton and Church avenues will run August 24 through September 8, as a proactive effort by the City of Cleveland to make neighborhoods more enjoyable and accessible for pedestrians. During this period, community volunteers, small businesses and nearby institutions are hosting a number of free events, opening the street up for spontaneous community building.
“The goal is for West 29th Street to become a Street for People — a street that is open for public use free of car traffic,” said Joyce P. Huang, Director of City Planning Commission. “Already, there are residents and small businesses organizing family days and community meetups. This temporary two-week Open Street allows people to test the space and inform how the permanent space’s use should look and feel.”
The planned programming follows a community engagement meeting from April in which dozens of residents, business owners, and other community members joined in the design and planning phase of this project.
More than 100 individuals participated in an interactive workshop and an online survey to better understand current challenges and successes, brainstorm new ideas, and provide additional feedback on amenities, activities, and programs – all in an effort to help inform the design process. During pedestrian expansion, the City Planning Commission will explore the influence of this project, and welcome feedback on how our community would like to utilize the space, ensuring the best interest of residents and businesses in the community.
For more information on events and gatherings during this period, follow @west29th_openstreet on Instagram. Visitors to the Open Street can give feedback through an online survey using a QR code on site.
If you are interested in volunteering for events during this period, email Britany Pabon at bpabon@clevelandohio.gov.
For details on community engagement, photos, and a map of the Open Street, please see the following presentation: W29th Presentation_Final.pdf
