This Saturday, July 6, the lower level of the Detroit-Superior Bridge will be opened to the public, as part of the Cuyahoga County’s annual bridge tour. Open from 9:00am to 3:00pm, the event is free and open to the public, and will feature self-guided tours, films, and volunteers available to answer questions. Last year, the event attracted more than 1100 visitors to the lower level, and featured a series of input stations to inquire about opening the lower level for permanent use. As part of those efforts, the final report (Download Link) compiled by the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative and their constituents is available here for download. The report, as part of a Transportation for Livable Cities Initiative (TLCI) study, makes a series of design recommendations for the lower level and surrounding area. This would not be possible without your support, feedback, and inquiries. We thank you very much for your input, and encourage you to provide any further remarks based on the report. Happy Bridging!
Based on your feedback and input, as well as input from numerous other stakeholders throughout this process, the Bridge Project team has begun to finalize recommendations for opening the lower level of the Detroit-Superior Bridge as a bicycle and pedestrian thoroughfare as well as a venue space. Visit the Design Ideas section of this site for a closer look. In conjunction with the numerous projects in the surrounding area, the Bridge Project seeks to establish the lower level and its surroundings as a unique regional destination and primary connector for alternative modes of transportation. The final report will be compiled over the next several weeks, so your input is still valuable! Please share with us your take on these recommendations, or offer your own recommendations via our comment page.
- Based on this study, recommendations include, but are not limited to:
- A bike and pedestrian path
- Lighting and emergency call boxes
- Surface replacement at the center span
- Transit waiting enviroments
- Streetscape Enhancements
- Mixed use development adjacent to the Bridge
- Enhanced crosswalks
- Directional and entry signage
- Viewing platforms
- Additional points of entry
- Dedicated performance space
- Connection to future Canal Basin Park
Friday, September 21
7am - 11pm
Detroit-Superior Bridge Midway (the lower level)
Entries open on both ends of the bridge (West entry from Cuyahoga County Engineers parking lot on Superior Viaduct and East entry from W. 10th and Superior Ave.)
Join us on the lower level of the Detroit-Superior Bridge on Friday, September 21st for a full day of activities from 7am to 11pm. It's a chance to experience the bridge at multiple times throughout the day, as it may be open to the public from morning till night in the future.
(One of the names for the lower level suggested at a previous public meeting was "The Midway", so we're using it to see how it feels. Try it for yourself in conversation and let us know what you think!)
RSVP on the Facebook event page here: http://www.facebook.com/events/394438233955709/
This all day public opening will feature events and programming to test new uses suggested at our previous public meetings, including yoga, vendors, music, and a late night movie on the bridge. You may want to take Friday off and hang with us all day, or just join us for lunch and after dinner - it's up to you.
The day's schedule will be continually updated until the event, so check back throughout the week for additional activities here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0ApuIcEhHNPt5dEw4T3p6aWtVNU5xLXZxbURaSUVzZmc&single=true&gid=0&output=html
In addition to activities organized by the design team, we also want to leave room (time and physical space) throughout the day for you to experiment with ideas for using the bridge. Is there a fun game, art installation or group activity you'd love to try out on the lower level? How would you use the bridge if it was open all day? Contact us via our Facebook event page or by email at cudc[AT]kent.edu to share a specific use idea you'd like to try on the bridge. Let us know if there are any materials/objects you intend to bring in order to realize your idea and we may be able to help get what you need.
We hope to meet you in The Midway!