Oct. 25, 2022 — Cleveland — Clevelanders’ first chance to take part in a century-in-the-making effort to transform access to our city’s most stunning natural treasure—Lake Erie—is coming up next month. The North Coast shoreline in Cleveland has been cut off from residents for decades due to automobile-focused development, railroads and a 65-foot bluff.
Mayor Bibb will be sharing his people-centric vision at a town hall meeting on November 3, which will be followed by five listening sessions across the city. He will ask the community for their ideas on how to bridge the divide and draw residents from across the city to our North Coast.
“The lakefront belongs to all of us and therefore must be a place for all of us,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “For far too long, we’ve turned our backs on this incredible resource, which should serve as a source of pride and enjoyment for residents, as well as be accessible to people of all ages and abilities.”
The inability of residents and visitors to walk and bike to Lake Erie’s citywide shore safely has long thwarted visits to one of the region’s greatest assets. That’s why public input from across the city is needed to help transform Cleveland’s relationship with the lake.
Central to the transformation is the North Coast Connector—a proposed land bridge connecting the grassy lawns of Mall C and City Hall to the lakefront. It would span over the railroad tracks and the Shoreway to restore access and repair more than a century-old divide. It would also open up new land for community gatherings and future economic development.
“My vision is to provide access to all 14 miles of Cleveland’s North Coast with the guiding principles of racial equity, economic opportunity, and climate resiliency,” Bibb added. “For too long our community has been physically and socially disconnected from the waterfront due to historic land use, infrastructure, and other policy decisions that did not prioritize pedestrian access and socioeconomic diversity.”
Attend Mayor Bibb’s Town Hall meeting on November 3 or participate in any of five additional listening sessions to imagine what the connector could look like and what it should connect to. All meetings will have the same presentation and discussion exercises.
Doors for all meetings open at 5 p.m., when the city will serve free refreshments. Programs begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.
Register and learn more at clevelandnorthcoast.com. We encourage residents to carpool, bike, walk or take GCRTA to the meetings.
Mayor Justin Bibb’s Town Hall
November 3, 2022
Cleveland City Hall Rotunda
601 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114
Listening Sessions
November 10, 2022
Zelma George Recreation Center
3155 Martin Luther King Jr Dr., Cleveland, OH 44104
November 15, 2022
Collinwood Recreation Center
16300 Lakeshore Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44110
November 16, 2022
Saint Joseph Academy
3470 Rocky River Dr., Cleveland, OH 44111
November 17, 2022
Estabrook Recreation Center
4125 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44144
November 29, 2022
Church of Christ at the Blvd.
8837 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44108
