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Welcome to the Cleveland ERA: Mayor Bibb releases Downtown Lakefront RFQ, unveils bold vision for Cleveland’s future

Tuesday, Jul 15, 2025

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 — Cleveland — Today, Mayor Justin M. Bibb is calling on innovative partners to join the City of Cleveland in reimagining and revitalizing the Downtown Lakefront—a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform up to 50-acres of publicly owned lakefront property into a vibrant, connected destination on the shores of Lake Erie.  

With a foundation built through years of community collaboration, strategic investments, and a new Shore-to-Core-to-Shore TIF District, Cleveland is ready to unlock the full potential of its North Coast.  

In partnership with the nonprofit North Coast Waterfront Development Corporation and CBRE, the City has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify development partners — whether as master developers, developers of specific site portions, or developers focused on particular uses — who are interested in helping shape a world-class waterfront grounded in the guiding principles of the North Coast Master Plan, which reflects values expressed by Clevelanders from all walks of life.

This announcement marks the public kickoff of the Cleveland ERA—Mayor Bibb’s dynamic plan to revitalize Cleveland’s infrastructure, economy, and neighborhoods for generations to come. Central to this vision is the lakefront transformation, designed to reconnect the city from shore to core to shore, creating a waterfront that repairs historical divides and truly belongs to all Clevelanders.
 

The Cleveland ERA: Economic Resurgence in Action

As cities across America seek to bring back family-sustaining jobs, address the shortage of affordable, quality housing, and reimagine their local economies, Mayor Bibb is extending an invitation to employers, investors, and families alike: Come home to Cleveland.

“Cleveland built its legacy on industrial innovation,” said Mayor Bibb. “Now, we’re opening the toolbox again — unlocking land, fueling development, and building a future where opportunity flows from our factories to our neighborhoods.”

Mayor Bibb’s Cleveland ERA advances a comprehensive strategy focused on industrial revitalization, neighborhood vibrancy through housing and local investment, and government innovation to streamline growth and opportunity — together driving a powerful, inclusive resurgence for the city and its residents.
 

The Cleveland ERA: Industrial Revival

Cleveland is at the forefront of reindustrialization with landmark investments and development:

  • Two-Waterfront City: $5 billion in development along Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River — reconnecting residents, businesses, and public spaces to Cleveland’s most valuable natural assets.
  • Shovel-Ready Sites Fund (SRF): $100 million to unlock 1,000 acres of underutilized land, enabling 25,000 family-sustaining jobs. Over 200 acres are already under control, including the historic National Acme site.
  • Cleveland Hopkins Airport Modernization: A $1.6 billion transformation to build a modern, global gateway for people and freight.

Major redevelopment projects are underway, and several high-potential sites will also hit the market this year — signaling that Cleveland is open for business and ready to grow.
 

The Cleveland ERA: Neighborhood Vibrancy

At the core of the Cleveland ERA is a commitment to inclusive growth that starts on every street and reaches every family:

  • Cleveland Housing Investment Fund: $100 million in public-private capital to meet urgent demand for quality housing.
  • Innovative Housing Solutions: Implementation of innovative methods like modular construction and zoning reform to expand housing faster. A city-led modular housing factory is in progress, creating new, family-sustaining jobs and building critical housing units.
  • Neighborhood TIF Strategy: Local reinvestment through homeownership, small business support, and neighborhood asset development.

Cleveland is confronting the housing shortage with forward-thinking solutions — making sure that as the city grows, everyone has access to stable, quality housing. From long-time residents to new neighbors, this is a commitment to expanding opportunity, preventing displacement, and building a future where every person in Cleveland can find a safe, affordable place to call home.  
 

The Cleveland ERA: Government Innovation

Mayor Bibb is building a City Hall that moves at the speed of business — focused on transparency, efficiency, and results:

  • Integrated Tech Platform: Acquisition of Salesforce for citywide coordination and real-time project management.
  • Executive Business Attraction & Growth: A high-touch, strategic approach to recruiting major employers and scaling local companies.
  • Permitting Reform: Streamlined, modernized processes to accelerate quality development and reduce red tape.

“American cities are at a crossroads,” said Mayor Bibb. “We can retreat — or we can rise. In Cleveland, we choose to lead. This is our moment to transform legacy into leadership and create a model for growth that the rest of the country can follow.”
 

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