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Letter to the editor

Are you ready for a brand new street?

By MIKE DONILA, Times Staff Writer
Published December 14, 2007

Cleveland Street bustles with activity between Osceola and Fort Harrison avenues on Thursday. Help ring in the opening of the street, and the holidays, tonight and tomorrow.
	[Douglas R. Clifford | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Special to the Times] A historic photo of the old Cleveland Street Post Office, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, gives us a peek of how things have changed along the busy road.

After 18 months of anticipation, residents will get their first glimpse of the $10-million revitalization of Cleveland Street tonight.

The city will celebrate the official completion of the project with a ceremony that includes fireworks, adult refreshments, craft vendors and musical entertainment.

The festivities continue Saturday with the city's annual parade and a series of family-oriented activities, including a petting zoo, pony rides, more music and a scavenger hunt.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Geri Campos Lopez, the city's director of economic development: "I think everyone is going to be pleased. People have been talking about (Cleveland Street) and it looks great, especially with all the holiday decorations."

Mayor Frank Hibbard: "It all goes back to what we think the right formula is and that's creating the type of environment that's going to get the private section to invest in the downtown. ... The market will decide what type of retail and restaurants will come, so what we can do is create that positive environment for them and show that we're making some investment, too."

George Kelly, owner of the Downtown Newsstand: "The bottom line? Do I want to look at this (planter) or a car parked in front of my store?" It is "an expensive driveway for a condo project," referring to the Station Square tower that's currently under construction on Cleveland.

NUTS AND BOLTS

The start: The city kicked off the revitalization initiative in June 2006.

The goal: The city wanted to create a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere to lure new residents, visitors and businesses to an area that has long been in decline.

The beginning: The plan was conceived in 2002 as a way to offset the loss of traffic on Cleveland Street due to the new Memorial Causeway Bridge, which now routes beach-bound traffic to Court Street.

WHAT'S THERE

A four-block stretch starts at Myrtle Avenue with two 26-foot concrete columns welcoming visitors.

Medjool date palms, more than 50 of them, line the newly paved sidewalks.

Four mediansinclude planters, young oak trees and 4-foot tall spherical traffic guards.

Further west, landscapers have planted crape myrtles to add color to the block. It ends at Osceola Avenue.

The sidewalk blocks, which form diamond patterns, have small shells mixed into the concrete. In addition, the project includes new lights and benches.

IF YOU GO

The city is celebrating the opening of Cleveland Street and the holidays beginning today. In addition to the events, officials ask that visitors bring canned goods or a new, unwrapped toy to donate to charity. Admission to all events is free. For more information, call 562-4800.

WHAT'S GOING ON:

Today, 5 to 8 p.m.: Cleveland Street will be closed to traffic from Garden to East avenues. The 5:30 p.m. will feature fireworks, followed by adult refreshments and musical entertainment.

Saturday, 11 a.m.: The annual holiday parade kicks off with as many as 100 entries. The parade will march down Cleveland Street from Crest Lake Park to Myrtle Avenue. The parade will include marching bands, floats, specialty entries and Santa Claus.

Saturday, noon to 4 p.m: Santa will also preside at this family-oriented event. The district will be filled with craft vendors, food, soft drinks and adult refreshments. It will also include bands and other musical entertainment. In addition, there will be interactive crafts; a climbing wall; a moonwalk; petting zoo; and pony, wagon and rocket ship car rides. A scavenger hunt and other games for adults will provide chances to win valuable prizes.

[Last modified December 14, 2007, 01:23:35]