TRANSFORMATION OF AN URBAN CITY CORE

At the heart of Downtown Streetscapes, Bedrock 0.0 had a vision of creating a more welcoming and accessible urban environment. The project aimed to reimagine the streetscape, focusing on greenery, pedestrian infrastructure and public art to enhance the overall urban experience. Encompassing two linear thoroughfares and several plaza spaces that front Bedrock-owned properties in the urban core, along Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue and Ontario Street, at the entrance to the city’s Historic Terminal Building, and the corridor between the Terminal Building and the Tower City development.

 Cleveland was once called the ‘forest city’ because of the many large, healthy street trees that lined its main thoroughfares. Due to neglect in the city’s post-industrial areas, many parts of the city are today devoid of mature trees. This is most notably the case downtown, where a lack of vegetation results in a city that feels hotter in the summer and more exposed in the winter. Cleveland’s Euclid Avenue and Ontario Street have been particularly notable for their barren, windswept appearance beneath impressive yet imposing buildings.

In light of this, project landscape architect Susan Maurer of MKSK explains that planters from Streetlife were added to enliven Euclid Avenue and Ontario Street. The Shrubtub designs, finished in corten, are ‘marched’ in an architectural rhythm, as Maurer describes, down their respective thoroughfares and are planted with trees that provide much-needed shade while breaking down the scale of the street and creating a transition between the human scale and the architecture that surrounds. The sizable dimension of the planters also affords the addition of a lush understory of vegetation, which adds not only to the aesthetics of the street space but also its biodiversity, air quality, and microclimate.

Similarly, Streetlife planters were selected to celebrate the forecourt of Cleveland’s Historic Terminal Tower Building. Here, the custom Hug a Tub designs include trees and lush seasonal plantings that are integrated with inviting seating areas for the public, particularly those waiting at the site’s bus stop.

The next location of improvement connects the Historic Terminal Tower with the Tower City development. Both buildings wanted to make a special area to connect the buildings and make what has been formerly described as a ‘dark’ street feel bright and happy. The custom Streetlife planters in parallelogram shapes add greenery, variety, and excitement to the corridor. Along with this, a custom-tiered bench relating to the rotunda form of Tower City brings a dramatic and welcoming feel that encourages the public to interact, engage, and remain within the space.

Central to the project is the concept of creating pedestrian-friendly environments. This includes widening side walks, adding new street lighting, reconditioning pavers and other side walk surfaces, and enhancing cross walks to improve safety and encourage walking.

A significant highlight of Downtown Streetscapes Bedrock 0.0 is its focus on public art and cultural elements. The project includes the installation of art installations, sculptures and murals that reflect the city’s rich history and culture. These artistic elements not only add visual interest but also serve to enhance the cultural identity of the downtown area.

Downtown Streetscapes Bedrock 0.0 represents a significant step in revitalising Cleveland’s urban landscape. By prioritising city greening, pedestrian-friendly design and public art, the project sets a standard for transforming downtown Cleveland into a more liveable, vibrant, green urban centre.

For more information, visit Streetlife