The Justice Center's Uncertain Future Provides a Chance to Reshape Downtown
After nearly 50 years, the future of the Cuyahoga County Justice Center — the sprawling, nearly seven-acre city block punctuated by a 25-story “brutalist” concrete tower — is uncertain. But officials see this as an opportunity.
In early August, the county and the local office of CBRE issued a request for proposal (RFP) soliciting plans from developers to acquire and potentially redevelop the site. Referred to as the “County Block" and described by Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne as “the center of everything,” the site is bound by Lakeside Avenue, Ontario Street, West 3rd Street and St. Clair Avenue.
“It is an integral neighborhood nexus because it sits at the intersection of the convention district, Warehouse District, the lakefront and Public Square,” Ronayne said.