Cleveland has taken a significant step toward reshaping its downtown lakefront, earning a $69 million federal grant to support the construction of a land bridge and the reconfiguration of the Shoreway.
The funding, announced Friday by Congresswoman Shontel Brown and Mayor Justin Bibb, comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. The program aims to repair divisions caused by highways and rail lines in urban areas.
With this latest award, Cleveland has now secured a total of $150 million in state and federal funding for the ambitious lakefront project, which is set to connect North Coast Harbor with the downtown core. Construction is slated to begin in 2027, following years of planning and community discussions.
Mayor Bibb hailed the grant as a pivotal moment for the city.
“This funding will allow us to reimagine our waterfront access, modernize outdated infrastructure, and create a safer, more vibrant connection between our residents, the lakefront, and the Port of Cleveland,” Bibb said in a statement.
The project is part of Cleveland’s broader vision to redevelop underutilized areas near Huntington Bank Field into public spaces and potential private development. The plans are designed to improve access to the waterfront and provide opportunities for growth on land that has long been overlooked.
The timing of this investment aligns with the Cleveland Browns’ plans to vacate the city-owned stadium for a new enclosed facility in Brook Park. Despite the team’s potential departure, Bibb remains committed to the lakefront transformation.
“Clevelanders have been talking about this for generations,” Bibb said during an October interview, reaffirming his dedication to redeveloping the lakefront regardless of the Browns’ relocation.
The Ohio General Assembly contributed $20 million to the land bridge initiative last summer, while a separate $60 million federal grant for Shoreway improvements was announced in October. This latest funding more than doubles the federal government’s commitment to the project, bringing it to nearly $130 million.
Once completed, the lakefront development is expected to enhance public access, attract private investment, and further revitalize downtown Cleveland, providing residents and visitors with a dynamic connection to Lake Erie.