Lake Erie Development

The Lakefront Master Plan for Cleveland’s North Coast is guiding Cleveland’s downtown lakefront transformation, laying the foundation for a more connected, inclusive and vibrant lakefront. The plan includes a land bridge (estimated completion in 2031) connecting the grassy lawns of the Huntington Convention Center, Mall C and City Hall to the North Coast, spanning railroad tracks and the freeway to restore access and repair a century-old divide. North Coast Yard is a seasonal pop-up lakefront public space that builds on the community’s vision, activating the lakefront with programming, local food and drinks, and space to relax and enjoy the view.

Partners: North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation, Burgess & Nipple, City of Cleveland, Compass Consulting Services, Cuyahoga County, Greater Cleveland Partnership, James Corner Field Operations, Northeast Ohio Area Coordinating Agency, Ohio Department of Transportation, Osborn Engineering, Robert P. Madison International, ThirdSpace Action Lab.

The Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy, or CHEERS, will transform Cleveland’s eastern lakeshore over 20 years to reconnect communities to the lake, improve public health, bolster the economy and benefit the environment and natural habitat. The CHEERS project will utilize dredge material to improve shoreline resilience, build habitat, expand parks and work to heal damage done by past unjust developmental practices and industrial uses creating more than 100 acres of new parkland on the city’s East side.

Partners: Cleveland Metroparks, Black Environmental Leaders, City of Cleveland, Cleveland City Council, Davey, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Department of Transportation, Port of Cleveland.

The 24,000-square-foot Sailing Center will be the first of its kind along Lake Erie in Ohio, providing unprecedented public access and sailing opportunities. The project includes two new facilities with multipurpose learning spaces, indoor and outdoor community areas, concessions and dining, a rooftop deck, an overlook tower, and a boathouse serving as the sailing hub. Fully accessible and designed beyond ADA compliance, the center will incorporate universal design and serve as a year-round community anchor and lakefront destination for sporting and community events, retail, recreation, and public programs that expand access to sailing for those who have historically faced economic barriers. The Sailing Center is expected to be completed in late spring 2026.

Partner: Cleveland Metroparks

The Euclid Beach Transformation Plan envisions adding nearly 30 acres of new green space along Cleveland’s lakefront, significantly expanding the existing park and creating a more accessible, inclusive and vibrant public space for the community. Central to the plan is a commitment to increasing public access to Lake Erie and reimagining the Lakeshore Boulevard corridor to support local business growth through updated zoning and design guidelines. The consolidated footprint created through these efforts will be owned and managed long-term by Cleveland Metroparks, ensuring continued public stewardship of this transformative lakefront investment.

Partners: Western Reserve Land Conservancy, City of Cleveland, Cleveland City Council, Cleveland Development Advisors, Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Cleveland Public Library, Cuyahoga County, Euclid Beach Mobile Home Community, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Greater Collinwood Development Corporation, The Cleveland Foundation.