Cleveland, Ohio

WHY

The Campus District in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio is a key downtown area defined by three anchor institutions: Cleveland State University (CSU), Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Metro Campus, and the former St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. Located just east of the central business district along major corridors, this area is a dense, dynamic mix of educational institutions, social services, and businesses, drawing thousands of students, faculty, and workers daily. Recent and future developments have spurred the need to revitalize the area in order to attract mixed-use residential projects and street-level retail and to maintain access to critical social services. This area is a dynamic urban community that is well positioned to be a destination for living, working, and healing.

HOW

The Campus District Master Plan establishes a strategic framework for fostering a community of purpose, focusing on five key themes: safety, vibrancy, connectivity, restoration, and authenticity. This comprehensive approach is designed to drive economic growth and cultivate a neighborhood with attractive housing options, ultimately transforming the area into a more active and connected urban environment. Designing Local leveraged core themes to enhance the district’s historic character. Specific interventions to improve connectivity between key amenities at the north and south ends of this large urban area, create new public spaces like the Campus Trail and pocket parks, and identify public art and placemaking opportunities that will serve as catalysts for economic development and resident attraction. The plan’s initial objectives include refining zoning, simplifying the design review process, expanding historic tax credit opportunities, and strategically redeveloping marquee historic buildings to diversify the housing stock.

WHAT

The master plan prioritizes enhancing multimodal connectivity and revitalizing the public realm. Initiatives are focused on supporting small businesses, consolidating surface parking lots for future development, and implementing public art programs that will revitalize streetscapes and define new gateways at the eastern and western edges of the district. The ultimate goal is to create a well-connected and economically strong Campus District that celebrates its significant history while establishing itself as an iconic destination for residents and visitors of Downtown Cleveland.