Port of Cleveland advances critical Irishtown Bend Rehabilitation and Stabilization project to the construction phase
Board green-lights contract with construction manager
Cleveland, OH (March 9, 2023) – The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority’s (Port of Cleveland) Board of Directors approved Thursday a construction contract that moves the critical Irishtown Bend Rehabilitation and Stabilization project forward.
“The Port of Cleveland is taking a key step forward today as we move to the construction phase of the critical Irishtown Bend Rehabilitation and Stabilization project,” said Linda Sternheimer, Director of Urban Planning & Engagement at the Port of Cleveland. “We’re pleased to progress with construction efforts that prioritize public safety and our region’s economy. Extensive analysis has made it clear that there is a great threat if we don’t act swiftly to stabilize Irishtown Bend’s hillside.”
The Port of Cleveland’s contract with Wade Trim, Inc., and its partners totals $3,643,727. This agreement is the result of a public request for qualifications by the Port, which determined Wade Trim Inc., in partnership with G. Stephens Inc., Resource International, Inc., and KS Associates, Inc., to be the most qualified team for the project.
As the Port moves towards bidding the project out for construction, Wade Trim will oversee onsite construction and inspections acting in the capacity as an owner’s representative. Wade Trim committed to sourcing 42 percent of the project’s work from minority- and female-owned businesses.
The Port of Cleveland has led efforts to stabilize the Irishtown Bend hillside. Located between W. 25th St. and the Cuyahoga River, Irishtown Bend’s unstable hillside poses an immediate threat to public safety and property in the area. Given the potential for a landslide to disrupt commercial shipping traffic on the Cuyahoga, thousands of maritime jobs could be impacted, and an adverse economic effect could be felt throughout the region.
Other items of note during Thursday’s meeting include:
- The board approved $9,105,000 in taxable revenue bonds (known as “TIF Bonds”) for Skyline International Development to complete the renovation of the Renaissance Hotel on Public Square. The historic hotel is set to become an Autograph by Marriott that will be known as The Cleveland Hotel.
- J. Stefan Holmes, Peggy Zone Fisher, and Darrell L. McNair were re-elected for another year by the board to their positions as Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary, respectively.