GRC has established a “Design Collaborative” to work with visionaries, planners, and thought leaders from across the region to develop awesome lakefront possibilities. David Beach, founder of Green City Blue Lake, was engaged to draft a vision narrative fifty years in the future. The link to his presentation, follows.
The Coalition has proposed plans to extend the “green” connection from Public Square to the North Coast Harbor via a “land bridge” over the railroad and Shoreway. Our bold initiative achieves the long-time goal of providing convenient public access to the harbor attractions from downtown.
GRC’s signature proposal seeks to realign I-90 south through the demolished First Energy Lakefront Power Plant site to dramatically expand Gordon Park, and incorporate the nature preserve, creating a massive public lakefront park (“Edgewater East”). The park expansion would open up development possibilities to area neighborhoods, and a beautiful link via MLK along the Cultural Gardens to University Circle.
GRC has proposed developing and maintaining sponsored pocket gardens along the Shoreway corridor east of downtown to Gordon Park. We have proposed adopting the small lakefront park adjacent to the Cleveland Public Power Plant along North Marginal Road as the pilot project. Holden Gardens and Forests, and Cleveland Metroparks have been invited to join the Coalition as collaborating partners.
We have assumed a leadership role with NOACA, other Erie Shore MPOs, the National Park Service, Visitors Bureaus, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and ODOT to enhance the existing Lake Erie Coastal (highway) Trail, and work towards constructing an all-purpose bike and pedestrian trail connecting Erie Shore communities and lakefront attractions and parks.
