Downtown
Bob PerkoskiDowntown Cleveland
During the day, downtown Cleveland functions as the governmental, commercial and legal nucleus of Cuyahoga County. Daily, tens of thousands of people commute here to work at law firms, banks, insurance companies and in municipal offices. At the end of the day, many of those people get in cars or hop on trains and return home to far-flung suburbs. But not all of them. More and more, people are choosing to call downtown home, taking up residence in warehouse lofts, sleek new condos and apartments carved out of former office buildings. Hovering at 98-percent occupancy, the residential market in downtown Cleveland is at its highest point in 60 years.
Cuyahoga County opened its Financial Empowerment Center on March 19—offering free, one-on-one financial counseling to residents struggling with debt, credit issues, and economic instability. Funded in part by a $150,000 grant and supported by public-private partnerships, the center offers wraparound services to help achieve financial security.
Cleveland City Council has declared April 18 Superman Day, honoring Glenville natives and the superhero creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The designation is part of ongoing efforts to recognize the Man of Steel's local roots.
The spring event schedule for the Soldiers' & Sailors' Monument in Public Square has been announced. The 1894 monument honoring 9,000 Cuyahoga County Civil War veterans, will offer guided tours of its underground sandstone structure, host a Veterans' Mental Health Fair, and hold a Decoration Day ceremony. Events are open to the public, with tunnel tour tickets going on sale April 2.
The Cleveland Monsters launched Project Lake Blue to protect and celebrate local freshwater resources through education, action, and stewardship. The ALH team will work with Cuyahoga County Fresh Water Institute, Ocean Conservancy, and fans to protect Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. The initiative debuts with a special theme night at the game this Thursday, March 26.
FAN EXPO Cleveland attracted pop culture enthusiasts to the Huntington Convention Center this past weekend, featuring headliners William Shatner, Hayden Christensen, and other notable celebrities. There were opportunities for autographs, cosplay, shopping, and interactions with both Hollywood stars and local cultural organizations, continuing its decade-long tradition as a favorite among Cleveland fans.
FAN EXPO Cleveland returns to the Huntington Convention Center on Friday, with celebrity guests William Shatner and Hayden Christensen along with stars from fan faves like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The three-day pop culture convention has exhibits, celebrities, fan groups, cosplay, and gaming.
Chuck Roberts had to make the difficult decision 24 years ago to donate his daughter Alicia's organs after her tragic death, just weeks before her 16th birthday. That decision saved the life of 15-year-old Candice Monroe, who needed a heart transplant. The families share their story to show how one person's tragedy can become another's miracle.
Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation (FRDC) is hosting a series of on-site hiring events throughout February, connecting job seekers directly with employers who are actively hiring. The events feature opportunities in healthcare, transportation, customer service, and public service.
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The Cleveland Leadership Center's 12th annual Accelerate: Citizens Make Change pitch competition takes place on February 26 at the Huntington Convention Center, featuring 35 presenters pitching 26 innovative ideas.
The 17-story1905 Rockefeller Building at West 6th Street and Superior Avenue stands on historic ground once occupied by the Weddell House, where Abraham Lincoln stayed during his 1861 inaugural trip. After a colorful history, the Rockefeller Building faces an uncertain future following years of neglect and vandalism.
Benjamin Rose built a thriving meatpacking empire in 1840 and, as business grew, commissioned architect George H. Smith to design the Rose Building—the city’s "New Center" in 1902. Upon his death, Rose's fortune established the Benjamin Rose Institute to support aging community members. The Rose building now begins a new chapter with Spark GHC’s "Project Scarlet," carrying forward Rose’s vision for a vibrant city center.
As we head into the peak of the holiday season, Downtown Cleveland is the place to be for festive lights, decorations, and winter celebrations.
Nearly 10,000 participants gathered in downtown Cleveland for the 44th Annual Cleveland Turkey Trot, featuring runners, spectators, and creative costume enthusiasts. After two weeks of voting, FreshWater readers selected their favorite costumes across three categories. See who won!
For more than 40 years, photojournalist Roger Mastroianni has chronicled Cleveland's arts, healthcare, and corporate landscapes—capturing everything from Cleveland Orchestra performances to hospital operating rooms. Mastroianni's work is a living archive of Cleveland's cultural history and the evolution of photojournalism itself.
Cleveland's 44th annual Turkey Trot saw a record-breaking 9,658 participants on Thanksgiving. Now, FreshWater's Second annual Turkey Trot Costume Contest is open for public voting through Monday, Dec. 8, with winners in individual, group, and pet divisions receiving prizes from FreshWater, CLE Urban Winery, and Lake Erie Pet Food.
Nearly 10,000 participants from around the country braved cold, windy conditions to attend and participate in the 44th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, with many participants in costume. FreshWater's second annual Turkey Trot costume contest is now underway and today is the deadline for submissions. Voting begins tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 2m and the winners receive some great prizes!
The 44th Annual Cleveland Turkey Trot is expected to draw a record-breaking 10,000 runners to downtown Cleveland on Thanksgiving morning. The race features three distance options, live entertainment, a food drive and donations to local charities, and the second annual FreshWater Turkey Trot costume contest.
FreshWater Cleveland will host its second annual Turkey Trot Costume Contest for participants of the 44th Cleveland Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27. Participants can submit photos of their costumes in individual, group, or pet divisions until Dec. 1, with voting open until Dec. 8.
The Cleveland Cavaliers kicked off their 2025-26 season home opener yesterday, Sunday, Oct. 26, with their 147th consecutive sellout at Rocket Arena. A slew of new initiatives have been implemented to enhance fan experiences, such as a redesigned mobile app, upgraded food options, and special giveaways.
Literary Cleveland's 2025 Inkubator Writing Conference, one of the largest free writing conferences in the country, is underway around Cleveland. The event kicks off its in-person activities, including workshops, panel discussions, and a book fair, with notable authors and industry professionals participating.