The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority and its public and private partners remain committed to engaging the public and maintaining open communication as the proposed future site continues to be explored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The following frequently asked questions and responses help clarify the facts.
Why aren’t the original recommendations from the Lakefront Development Plan adopted under Mayor Campbell’s administration being followed?
The original search was expanded and E. 55th Street was ultimately chosen because it provides the depth of water required to accommodate next-generation cargo ships. In addition, this site provides the best access to existing infrastructure. The spot is serviced by two railroads and I-90. The adjacent aging industrial property can be redeveloped into an international maritime trade district. The area will be particularly attractive to manufacturing and logistics companies that want the competitive advantages of being located near the new port and logistics hub.
Why don’t you locate the new port up-river?
An up-river site is not possible for two reasons:
- The international vessels that arrive through the Seaway are too tall to fit under the bridge at the Cuyahoga’s mouth. The bridge has a 95-foot clearance. The vessels are about 115 feet tall.
- International vessels have drafts that are too deep to navigate the Cuyahoga River. (Note: The “draft” is the portion of the vessel below water level.) The Cuyahoga is about 22 feet deep. The vessels have a maximum draft of 26 feet, 3 inches. Since Cleveland is generally the first discharge port, our vessels require the maximum draft.
I heard that the Port plans to eliminate the E. 55th Street Marina, get rid of all the fishing piers and parks at Cleveland Lakefront State Park and eliminate all public access to the lake. Is this true?
No. While it is true that the proposed new Port on E. 55th Street necessitates the eventual removal of the current marina at E. 55th Street, the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority is committed to working with the city and ODNR to build a new marina. The Port Authority also plans to incorporate lakefront access and the replacement of all amenities. Public input will be actively sought so that the new marina and reconfigured public park areas will best reflect the community’s desires. The Port Authority is committed to building the new Port the right way, and recognizes the vital importance of maintaining public enjoyment of the lakefront and all of its amenities.
I heard the Port wants to move to the larger site on E. 55th Street and needs the 200 acres so they can expand their operations to handle container shipments of manufactured goods. How realistic is that? No other ports on the Great Lakes are receiving containerized cargo.
The need for additional space in not based solely on the addition of container cargo, although that is a component of the Port’s business strategy. More acreage is also needed to expand current break-bulk and bulk cargo businesses. Container shipments, however, do remain a viable strategy for expansion. Road and rail congestion, environmental regulations and high fuel costs all point to a growing demand for more affordable, reliable and eco-friendly ways to transport cargo. Cleveland is in a position to maximize its advantageous location on Lake Erie through an expanded port that addresses these rapidly changing transportation needs.
How would the building of a new Port at E. 55th Street benefit the local community? What would happen to the current Port location in downtown Cleveland?
The relocation to the E. 55th Street site offers an opportunity to provide the region with a state-of-the-art port for potentially the next 50 to 100 years, attracting new manufacturing and logistics businesses.
The anticipated increased waterborne business activity would also yield substantial additional revenue for the Port Authority and an increased ability to reinvest in the region, creating new jobs. In addition, the current port site would be freed up, providing additional downtown public access for mixed recreational, business and retail use.
Why is the Port’s move to a new location projected to take so long? I have heard estimates ranging from 15-20 years. This sounds like a crazy, pie-in-the-sky idea to me.
The building of a new port from scratch is an extremely complex and multi-faceted project requiring in-depth engineering and environmental studies and ongoing consultation between the Port, USACE, ODNR and other environmental agencies, city and county government and many other public and private partners.
The new port will be built on new land created on top of dredged materials. Dredging involves the annual removal of accumulated silt buildup from shipping channels to maintain them at a required depth. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is mandated by Congress to carry out this function. Once the dredging is completed, the project requires several stages of construction. The Port Relocation project helps meet USACE’s requirement for a long-range dredging plan. The Port Authority will engage the community and seek input throughout the project.