A gathering of new developments in Cleveland Plus…
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo – African Elephant Crossing (Opened May 5, 2011)
As wildlife projects go, they don’t get much bigger than the massive African Elephant Crossing at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Five acres of grasslands, swimming ponds and a heated outdoor range make a homey habitat for five elephants, along with an assortment of other creatures ranging from plumed birds to meerkats and African rock pythons. Get personal with the pachyderms thanks to open-air views, a nose-to-trunk window, an easily-spotted feeding station and gated elephant crossing and an education center modeled after an African village.
(www.africanelephantcrossing.com)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum – New Exhibit, Inductions + Renovation (May 2011 – 2012)
Premiering at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power, an exhibition spotlighting more than 70 female music artists and how they changed the face of music. The exhibit includes artifacts, video and listening stations featuring the likes of Ma Rainey, Wanda Jackson, Tina Turner, Joan Jett, Chrissie Hynde, Madonna and Lady Gaga.
The Rock Hall induction ceremony returns to Cleveland on April 14, 2012. The weeklong celebrations will bring a whole new level of excitement to the city.
At the same time in 2012, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will have completed an ambitious $35 million redesign and the construction and operation of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Library and Archives in downtown Cleveland. (www.rockhall.com)
PlayhouseSquare’s Allen Theater renovation (September 2011)
Cleveland’s oldest theater, the Cleveland Play House, moves into the recently renovated Allen Theater at PlayhouseSquare. The $32 million renovation reconfigures the 2,500-seat theater into two separate spaces with capacities of 550 and 300. Changes include a third 175-seat black box theater constructed next door to the Allen, a new pedestrian walkway from the parking garage, new entrances and wiring for modern technology and multimedia. The theater will host the Cleveland Play House and the theater program at Cleveland State University, uniting both entities with PlayhouseSquare.
(www.clevelandplayhouse.com)
The Greater Cleveland Aquarium – Grand Opening (end of year 2011)
The Powerhouse located in the West Bank of the Flats will soon be home to the new 70,000-square-foot Greater Cleveland Aquarium this fall. The first phase includes 42 tanks integrated into the historic building to create an exciting underwater environment. This will include a seatube that allows visitors to experience life under the sea in a clear, 145’ walk-through tunnel. The aquarium is expected to attract more than 400,000 visitors and generate $9.6 to $27.2 million toward the local economy. (www.greaterclevelandaquarium.com)
Kalahari Indoor Waterpark Resort – Convention Center Expansion
(December 2011)
Kalahari Indoor Waterpark Resort in Sandusky will premiere a $22 million convention center expansion. After the groundbreaking, which occurred in March, Kalahari’s expansion will more than double the size of their current convention center – from 95,000 square feet to 215,000 square feet, and increase its meeting capacity from 2,200 to 5,200 people.
(www.kalahariresorts.com/oh)
International Exposition Center (I-X Center) – Upgrades (2011+)
As it enters its 25th anniversary season, the I-X Center plans to invest another $25 million to $35 million over the next few years – including nearly $3 million this year – to upgrade visitors amenities and improve traffic flow and parking. Near-term enhancements include upgrading food and restroom facilities, improving traffic and visitor flow by adding a third lane to the main access road, and expanding parking areas and upgrading with enhanced lighting.
(www.ixcenter.com)
The West Side Market – Centennial (2012)
As the largest indoor/outdoor market in the country, this marketplace was once where turn-of-the-century immigrants found their native foods and spices. Today it features 180 vendors selling the freshest selection of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, produce, bakery, ethnic foods and international delicacies. A celebration of the West Side Market’s 100th Birthday is expected to be announced soon.
The celebration will coincide with the 8th International Public Markets Conference, where more than 300 advocates, leaders and representatives from the public market community will gather in Cleveland during the fall of 2012.
(www.westsidemarket.org)
Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) – New Building (2012)
MOCA broke ground on a new $26.3 million home at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Mayfield Road in the Uptown District of the University Circle neighborhood. The new 34,000-square-foot, four-story building is scheduled to open to the public in the fall of 2012. It will provide MOCA with street presence for the first time in its 40-year history, and will enable it to present a diversity of innovative exhibitions and programs, while appealing to both current and new audiences.
(www.mocacleveland.org)
Cleveland Horseshoe Casino (2012 + 2015)
Thanks to a November 2009 green light from Ohio voters, downtown Cleveland has a $950 million casino on the way. The first phase of the project will open in the spring of 2012 under the Horseshoe Casino brand. This first phase will be located in the historic Higbee Building on Public Square, adding a new dimension to the already-bountiful entertainment and tourism options in the area within walking distance of Progressive Field, Quicken Loans Arena and East Fourth Street. The second phase of the casino is slated for completion in 2015 on the bank of the Cuyahoga River. (www.horseshoe.com/info/cleveland)
The Flats East Bank Project (2013)
By spring 2013, Cleveland visitors can visit the brand-new Starwood Aloft boutique hotel downtown anchoring a $275 million development project connecting the East Bank of the Flats with the energetic and popular Warehouse District. Rows of long-vacant buildings have been razed to clear the way for the rejuvenation of the area and plans for retail, entertainment, a1,200-foot boardwalk, a riverfront beach and 10 acres of public parks. (www.flatseast.com)
Medical Mart + Convention Center (2013)
Cleveland’s Medical Mart will be the world’s only facility targeted to the medical and healthcare industries, and the new attached Convention Center will make hosting meetings and conventions especially efficient. The $465 million facility will feature an exhibition hall, conference facilities and state-of-the-art technology – a winning combination for any kind of meeting. The building, which is pursuing LEED silver-certification, will open in downtown Cleveland in 2013.
(www.clevelandmedicalmart.com)
