NCWDC hired MVRDV, a renowned international planning firm, in April 2026 to begin revising earlier lakefront plans to capitalize on opportunities made possible by the planned departure of the NFL Cleveland Browns. MVRDV has worked on major waterfront plans carried out in cities across the world, including Oslo, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Shanghai and San Francisco. Here in Cleveland, MVRDV will build on decades of planning, extensive community engagement, and the ambitions of the North Coast Master Plan to create a new Lakefront Framework. The Lakefront Framework will be shared with the public in Fall 2026 for community feedback.

You can learn more about MVRDV's planning process for the Cleveland Lakefront Framework by watching the City Club of Cleveland panel discussion at the North Coast Era Summit.

NCWDC selected DiGeronimo Development as the Master Developer for the North Coast site. This announcement signaled a continued momentum on the development project, as the planning for the lakefront moves from vision to implementation. DiGeronimo's proposal included:

• An indoor/outdoor music venue with at least 10,000 seats for both ticketed concerts and public events.
• Public spaces, including waterfront promenades, lakeside seating, green spaces and recreational areas for things like roller skating, basketball and other uses.
• A food hall or similar restaurant concept could allow “small businesses to incubate new concepts.”
• Mixed-use multifamily housing for a variety of income levels and a hotel as part of the plan could enhance 24-hour activity. Plus, other retail opportunities that could “drive economic activity.”

As the Master Developer of the North Coast, DiGeronimo's goal is to convert 50 acres now occupied mostly by a parking lot and an infrequently used stadium into a year-round extension of downtown north to Lake Erie. DiGeronimo will partner with NCWDC to select a Master Planning firm and work closely with the Master Planners to offer the public a revised vision for the lakefront in the future.

City Council passed legislation for the creation of the North Coast Waterfront New Community Authority (NCA). A NCA is an economic development tool permitted by Ohio State law that supports development in a specific area by collecting voluntary charges from property owners or lessees within the NCA area that are spent on improvements and services within the NCA area.

Property owners/lessees within the NCA must opt-in to charges. Charges can include parking fees, food and beverage fees, hotel/motel fees, charges based on property valuation, and other charges permitted by State law. A NCA is a geographically defined area managed by a board. The board is appointed by City Council and the Developer that controls the NCA property. A NCA is a quasi-governmental entity.

NCWDC manages the NCA and it's board. You can learn more about the NCA Board and it's meetings at the City of Cleveland's website.

The City of Cleveland passed legislation to establish the Shore-to-Core-to-Shore tax increment financing (TIF) District. This TIF District was designed to create, capture, and leverage growth in Cleveland’s Downtown to support public improvements that will transform the city’s waterfronts, improve the downtown core, and fund investments in parks and public spaces across Cleveland neighborhoods. Within the Shore-to-Core-to-Shore TIF District, a portion of new property tax revenue generated by an increase in property values will be set aside for authorized public infrastructure investments with the potential to drive additional development and growth. Historically, TIFs have been used in Cleveland on a project-specific basis for things like new hotels and shopping centers, but the Shore-to-Core-to-Shore TIF District will capture property tax growth from a broad geographic area and use the proceeds for public improvements.

 You can learn more by visiting the City of Cleveland's website.

The City of Cleveland and the master planning team hosted an exploration of the whole history of lakefront development in Cleveland, presented in the unique and energetic PechaKucha format. The meeting culminated in a first look at the draft North Coast Master Plan. Below, you can find the presentation from the meeting by Field Operations, as well as a recording of the event.

• Presentation (PDF)
• Event Recording (Watch on YouTube)

Following the first look at the master plan draft, the City held a virtual deep dive into the plan and how the community’s feedback has shaped the design. View a recording of the meeting below.

• Meeting Recording (Watch on YouTube)

Mayor Justin Bibb joined members of the North Coast Master Plan team to discuss their vision for the lakefront and their reactions to initial concepts. The panelists answered questions from the audience about the plans. Below, you can find the presentation from the meeting by Field Operations, as well as a recording of the conversation.

• Presentation (PDF)
• Workshop Recording (Watch on YouTube)

The City hosted a series of community visioning workshops in May 2023 to help understand everyone’s ideas for the North Coast. Participants shared their thoughts on the layout of the North Coast Connector and their vision for the North Coast Master Plan. Below, you can find the presentation from the workshops and a recording of the virtual meeting.

• Presentation (PDF)
• Workshop Recording (Watch on YouTube)