Port of Cleveland Completes Irishtown Bend Stabilization

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As project sponsor, the Port of Cleveland has officially completed the stabilization of the Irishtown Bend hillside, marking a historic milestone for public safety, economic resilience and environmental stewardship along the Cuyahoga River.

On Friday, Feb. 13, the Port will formally transfer leadership of the project to Cleveland Metroparks and its partners, who will begin the next phase of work to bring a 25-acre public park to life for residents of Northeast Ohio.

A private ceremonial passing of the reins will take place on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Market Garden Irishtown Bend Taproom in Ohio City, marking the formal transition of the project from the Port to the Metroparks so construction of the Irishtown Bend Park can begin.

Irishtown Bend, located along the Cuyahoga River between West 25th Street, the Superior–Detroit Bridge, and Columbus Road, is named for the Irish immigrants who had settled in this area starting more than 175 years ago.

Prior to the Port’s involvement, the hillside experienced significant erosion and movement, forcing road closures and raising serious safety concerns. Video captured before project planning showed continuous hillside movement, signaling a high risk of catastrophic failure.

Without the Port’s investment, the hillside would have eventually collapsed into the river, blocking navigation in both directions and disrupting commerce not only in Cleveland, but across the American Heartland.

Such a collapse would have threatened manufacturing and mining industries throughout the region and the tens of thousands of jobs they support, Port officials said.

Recognizing the risk, the Port of Cleveland initiated action following its 2012 strategic plan, beginning with an underwater bulkhead survey completed in 2015. In 2016, capital funds were secured and the Port began acquiring more than 20 land parcels to gain site control.

A vision plan followed in 2017, with significant grant funding awarded between 2018 and 2022. Construction on the stabilization project began in the Fall of 2023.

The $65 million hillside stabilization effort is the first step in a broader $100 million initiative to transform Irishtown Bend into a 25-acre public park and community amenity. It also includes a new Franklin Boulevard from West 25th to Columbus Road that is due to reopen any day now.

By stabilizing the hillside, the Port has ensured the long-term integrity of the Cuyahoga River as a vital corridor for both industry and recreation.

“This project reflects the Port of Cleveland at its very best — protecting public safety, safeguarding commerce, and laying the groundwork for transformational community assets,” said Jeff Epstein, president and CEO of the Port of Cleveland in a written statement.

“Stabilizing Irishtown Bend was not optional — it was essential,” Epstein added. “Completing this work ensures the river remains open and functional, while unlocking the future potential of this site as a one-of-a-kind public park for generations to come.”

Linda Sternheimer, Vice President of Urban Planning and Development, who has overseen the project from its earliest planning stages through completion, emphasized the long-term vision behind the effort.

“This was a complex, multi-year undertaking that required persistence, collaboration, and a clear commitment to the community,” Sternheimer said.

“Stabilizing the hillside was the foundational step,” she said. “With this work complete, we are proud to hand the project to Cleveland Metroparks and other members of the Irishtown Bend Park collaborative so they can build a park that reconnects people to the river and transforms Irishtown Bend into a true regional destination.”

Completion of the Irishtown Bend Hillside Stabilization project was made possible through partnerships with numerous local, state and federal agencies and community organizations.