Downtown

Downtown ClevelandBob PerkoskiDowntown Cleveland

During the day, downtown Cleveland functions as the governmental, commercial and legal nucleus of Cuyahoga County. Daily, tens of thousands of people commute here to work at law firms, banks, insurance companies and in municipal offices. At the end of the day, many of those people get in cars or hop on trains and return home to far-flung suburbs. But not all of them. More and more, people are choosing to call downtown home, taking up residence in warehouse lofts, sleek new condos and apartments carved out of former office buildings. Hovering at 98-percent occupancy, the residential market in downtown Cleveland is at its highest point in 60 years. 

Creative inspiration: Lake Erie Ink, CSU host Teen Writers' Symposium in a variety of genres
The Teen Writers' Symposium, organized by Lake Erie Ink and Cleveland State University's English Department, is designed to inspire young writers with interactive workshops, panel discussions, and meet-and-greets with acclaimed local and regional authors. The event will cover various genres including poetry, fiction, fantasy, and graphic novels, and a chance to connect with like-minded peers.
[Book]mark the calendar: Your complete guide to Indie Bookstore Day in Northeast Ohio
Northeast Ohio's bookstores will celebrate the 12th annual Independent Bookstore Day this Saturday April 26. Eighteen local bookshops will participate in the nationwide event, offering a range of activities including author readings, signings, giveaways, and a region-wide bookstore crawl.
CLE-Vignettes: Hoping for a repeat of 2016
CLE-Vignettes are photos that show how people in Northeast Ohio spend their time—what they are doing for fun and entertainment or just hanging out with friends and family. Share your CLE-Vignette with us!
Catholic Charities prepares to deliver 12,000 Easter meals
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland will distribute 12,000 free holiday meals on Easter, on-site at the Bishop William M. Cosgrove Center and with home delivery throughout greater Cleveland. Volunteers, local businesses, and parishes will help in the effort. Community members can register for meal delivery, volunteer, or make monetary donations.
Making a mark: Cleveland teens design warm-up shirts for Charge's final home game
A group of 10 teenage designers recently participated in a graphic design clinic as part of the Cleveland Cavaliers' "Bigger than Basketball" initiative. The students designed warm-up shirts worn by the Cleveland Charge, the NBA G League affiliate of the Cavs, during their final home game of the season.
Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument opens in for April and May for tours, popular programs
The Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument in Public Square has announced its spring calendar of events, featuring both new and returning activities. Highlights include the popular Tunnel Tours in April, a Veterans' Mental Health Fair in May, and the dedication of the new Harvey the Civil War Dog statue—culminating in a Memorial Day observance at the end of May.
CLE-Vignettes: Luck of the Irish
CLE-Vignettes are photos that show how people in Northeast Ohio spend their time—what they are doing for fun and entertainment, or how they are just spending time with friends and family. Share your CLE-Vignette with us!
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority welcomes 14 new officers at swearing-in ceremony
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority swore in 14 new transit police officers last week. Now they will train before getting their permanent assignments.
Huge LEGO model of future USS Cleveland unveiled at Great Lakes Science Center
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb declared March 1 "USS Cleveland Day" during the unveiling of the LEGO scale model of the Navy's soon-to-be commissioned USS Cleveland.
Driving change: The winners of Accelerate civic pitch competition
The 11th annual Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition drew 32 aspiring entrepreneurs to pitch 24 innovative initiatives in categories like social change, climate innovation, and education. Top honors went to teenage brothers who created a youth employment program for neighborhood services.
Canal Basin Park reimagined: Canalway moves forward with plans for historic connector, interpretive
Canalway celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this month with the approval of new design plans for the 22-acre Canal Basin Park along the Cuyahoga River. The interpretive park will honor the city's industrial heritage while adding a gathering place on Cleveland's riverfront landscape.
Bright ideas: 26 visionaries to pitch at 2025 Accelerate: Citizens Make Change
The Cleveland Leadership Center's 11th annual Accelerate: Citizens Make Change civic pitch competition will take place on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Huntington Convention Center. The 26 participants have the chance to win seed money for their ideas to improve Northeast Ohio.
Snoop out the new Fidelity Hotel in historic Baker Building with Cleveland Restoration Society
The Cleveland Restoration Society is offering its members an exclusive Snoop! Tour to preview the new Fidelity Hotel, on East 6th Street. The historic building, first named the Fidelity Building and later the Baker Building, is rich in history and architectural features. Led by historic preservation consultants Naylor Wellman, LLC, members can explore the adaptive reuse transformation from 1919 office building to a modern hotel.
A special North Pole guest to visit Salvation Army’s Zelma George Family Shelter Thursday
The Salvation Army Greater Cleveland will host Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Zelma George Family Shelter, delivering toys to families in need.
Meet the winners of the Cle Turkey Trot costume poll!
The 43rd Annual Cleveland Turkey Trot brought many racers in costume. After polling FreshWater readers, we now have the winners of first annual Turkey Trot Costume Poll, with prizes awarded to Buddy the Elf, the Grinch Family, and a costumed dog.
Turkey Trot costumes: Vote for your favorite pet and human outfits
Vote for your favorite pet, human, and group costumes from las week's 43rd annual Cleveland Turkey Trot. 
Family affair: Cleveland Turkey Trot is a 43-year Thanksgiving tradition
More than 9,000 participants will celebrate Thanksgiving next week in the 43rd annual Cleveland Turkey Trot. And don't forget to vote for the winners of the annual costume contest on FreshWater after the event!
Art of the Game: Undefeated Cavs, Art Museum team up on City Edition uniforms, December MIX event
The undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Museum of Art debuted the 2024-25 Nike NBA City Edition uniforms and court design at last night's winning game against the Charlotte Hornets. The uniforms feature a coloring-book pattern that merge art and basketball, and will carry over into CMA's December MIX: Art of the Game event.
Furnishing hope: Chair-ity transforms lives of former foster youth
What started 10 years ago as a high school senior project for then-16-year-old Maria Paparella, has evolved into the thriving Chair-ity—a nonprofit that furnishes apartments for young adults who are aging out of foster care.
Honoring Cuyahoga County’s Civil War veterans at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
The Cuyahoga County Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument will host its annual Veterans Day Service today at 11 a.m. at the monument in Public Square. Get the details and read about the monument's history in Tom Matowitz' Masterworks.