State representatives, city staff and community members gathered together on Cleveland Street in downtown Redmond to celebrate the street’s designation as a “Great Street in America” on Oct. 10.
The American Planning Association (APA) named Cleveland Street in Redmond one of the three Great Streets in its annual Great Places in America program, which is its 12th year. The APA recognized 13 neighborhoods, streets and public spaces. APA also recognized Artery Hopkins in Hopkins, Minnesota and Water Street in Henderson, Nevada as Great Streets.
In a release, Kurt Christiansen, APA president, said the recognized streets are a demonstration of the importance of planning and creating vibrant sustainable communities.
“Cleveland Street is a national example of how planning for people-oriented, multi-modal environment can revitalize a community,” he said.
At the celebration, Redmond Mayor John Marchione said Cleveland Street was a vision. He wanted to make downtown Redmond an interesting place that people would want to visit.
“The Cleveland Street project was a catalyst for creating a vibrant 18-hour urban environment in downtown Redmond,” Marchione previously stated in a release. “This project helped further facilitate private investment in downtown; creates progressive accommodations for the city’s share of regional growth; encourages biking, walking and soon light rail in 2024; and the curb-less festival street design supports opportunities for events, arts and culture.”
The Cleveland Street project was part of a 20-year vision for downtown Redmond in efforts to turn the neighborhood into an urban center. Construction on the street began in January 2014. Cleveland Street is now the city’s main street, with both Cleveland Street and Redmond Way being two-way streets. The street also features the Downtown Park, a mix of housing options, local retail business and connection to a regional rail-to-trail system. The Cleveland Street project was officially completed in 2018. The project cost $5 million and was funded by a $3.37 million Surface Transportation Program (Urban) federal grant and the city’s capital improvements programs budget.
The Cleveland Street project was part of a 20-year vision for downtown Redmond in efforts to turn the neighborhood into an urban center. Construction on the street began in January of 2014. Cleveland Street is now the city’s main street. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo
Representing the 1st Congressional District, Rep. Suzan DelBene presented an APA certificate to Marchione, designating Cleveland Street as a Great Place in America.
“It’s wonderful to be right here on Cleveland Street,” DelBene said. “This story really is a prime example of what happens when a community comes together and has a vision and has an innovative spirit, and is focused on getting something done.”
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray’s chief of staff Mindi Linquist read a letter from Murray who was not able to attend the celebration.
Marchione also read a letter from Gov. Jay Inslee that congratulated the city for their years of “planning, attention to detail, and foresight by local and community leaders,” and commended all who were involved in the project.
To conclude the celebration, APA Washington’s incoming president Nancy Eklund officially designated Cleveland Street as a Great Place in America.
Since launching the Great Places in America program in 2007, APA has recognized 303 neighborhoods, streets and public spaces around the country
To learn more about Great Places in America, see www.planning.org.
Suzan DelBene presented the APA certificate to Mayor Marchione, designating Cleveland Street as a great place in America on Oct. 10. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo
