Cleveland's Renovated Public Square Opening June 30

The $50 million renovation of Cleveland's Public Square, designed by James Corner Field Operations, will open in time for the Republican National Convention.

1 minute read

June 26, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The $50 million, 15-month renovation of Public Square designed by James Corner, one of America's leading landscape architects, will be officially unveiled in a free public ceremony at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 30," report Steven Litt.

"The June 30 event will be the first time the public will have full access to the 10-acre civic space in the heart of downtown since it closed for the renovation in March 2015," adds Litt. In May, Litt took a tour of the nearly-finished Public Square and brought back pictures.

The square wasn't finished in time for the hordes on hand to celebrate the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA championship victory earlier this month. It will, however, be open in time for the festivities and political action surrounding the Republican National Convention, which begins July 18.

The article teases the new design for the Public Square and previews the events and programming that will commemorate the opening and populate the square on a day-to-day basis in the future.

Thursday, June 23, 2016 in The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

September 21 - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

September 21 - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

September 21 - Grist