The Spark

concept

the spark is a transformative redevelopment of cleveland's lakefront, on the site of the former lake shore power plant. the plant's coal-era footprint had walled a predominantly black community off from lake erie and the social, economic, and health benefits of the water. closed in 2017, the site reopens as a mixed-use neighborhood organized around a single idea — resurgence on the lake.

four sparks

the plan turns on four pillars. spark jobs builds a hub for workforce training in green distribution, life sciences, and health care, aimed at the neighborhoods the old plant excluded. spark connection undoes the i-90 barrier with a linear park, pedestrian bridges, and a transit center that reconnect the site to the city and the water. spark innovation brings cleveland's distribution and health-research industries onto one campus of maker spaces and r&d. spark recovery anchors a cleveland clinic rehabilitation extension beside graduated senior care and the restored cooling pond.

site

a 1:2000 plan threads eight development blocks along conduit avenue, between a green delta to the west and the historic cooling pond to the east. massing steps from light-industrial sheds and maker spaces up to housing, life-science, and a lakeview hotel — 35 ft at the water's edge to 140 ft at the core — with an emerald trail and greenbelt stitching the superblock back into a walkable street grid.

delivery

the build phases across four stages, 2026–2034, structured as a full development pro forma — eight blocks split between horizontal and vertical developers, blending market-rate and affordable housing (over half affordable in the largest phase) and balancing high-return distribution and office against subsidized civic and senior uses.

the spark · cleveland, ohio · uli hines student urban design competition · entry 2025-17090.