West 29th Street in Cleveland’s vibrant Hingetown neighborhood is poised for a transformation, potentially becoming a permanent pedestrian-focused public space. Currently a commercial street within Ohio City, West 29th Street is known for its art galleries, including the Cleveland Museum of Art’s contemporary outpost, mixed-use developments, and diverse small businesses. For several events annually, two blocks of West 29th Street are temporarily closed to vehicular traffic. Driven by a growing residential population, particularly families, the City of Cleveland, alongside community stakeholders and local businesses, is exploring the possibility of making these closures permanent. This initiative aims to expand pedestrian areas and foster enhanced community engagement.
Hingetown, while experiencing revitalization with an influx of young families and working professionals, currently lacks sufficient public spaces, especially for children. Existing “family day” events hosted by local businesses are already overwhelmed, highlighting the demand for community-oriented spaces. Despite being home to a significant concentration of public services and attracting a growing urban population, the neighborhood’s need for accessible public areas is evident.
The anticipated Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces in 2024 offers a pivotal opportunity to reshape West 29th Street. This grant will facilitate the conversion of the two blocks into a secure and welcoming environment for families and children to gather, play, and interact. As a scarce open public space within Hingetown, the reimagined West 29th Street promises numerous benefits. It will foster informal interactions among residents, enhance safety by reducing car traffic, provide a robust gathering space that supports local retail, and address historical environmental inequities by increasing the tree canopy in a neighborhood previously affected by redlining and lacking adequate greenspace. This development on West 29th Street is envisioned as a vital step in creating a more livable and community-centric Hingetown.
