Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb declared Saturday, March 1, “USS Cleveland Day” as the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation continues to plan for the fall 2025 commissioning off the USS Cleveland—when Cleveland becomes the first city to host the commissioning of a naval vessel in Ohio.

Bibb made the proclamation at the Great Lakes Science Center, when a LEGO model of USS Cleveland was unveiled for display in the main lobby.

The 1:40 scale model, designed and built by LEGO masters Robert and Kyle Mitus of Bad Cat Bricks in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was built using more than 36,000 LEGO bricks, measures eight feet long, 1.5 feet wide, and 2.5 feet tall, and weighs 150 pounds.

On the deck of the LEGO USS Cleveland modelThe model features details that include lights, sounds, and fully operable components, such as rotating Mark 57 deck guns, SEA-RAM turrets, HELO rotors, 7-meter and 11-meter RHIBs, and an UH-60 helicopter.

The exhibit is protected in a custom-built case and was made possible thanks to the generosity of Parker Hannifin, Kurt Timken, Kevin Murrow, USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, and the Great Lakes Science Center.

The Science Center’s operating hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through Sundays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and is closed on Mondays during the fall and winter months.

Great Lakes Science Center will be the homeport for the USS Cleveland commissioning in fall 2025. The mission of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation is to send USS Cleveland to its fleet with the greatest start possible, to support the ship and crew throughout her service life, and to welcome her home to Cleveland at the completion of her Naval service.