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Axios
18-03-2025
- General
- Axios
Bike project could jeopardize St. Patrick's Day parade route
Monday's St. Patrick's Day parade comes with a bit of drama. Why it matters: This could be one of the last years the annual event, which draws hundreds of thousands of people downtown, takes place in its current form. State of play: Construction is scheduled to begin later this year on the $25 million Superior Midway bike lane project, a 2.5-mile bicycle track down the center of Superior Avenue, the main route used for the parade. The project is expected to be completed during the second half of 2026. Friction point: The plan is to split vehicle traffic on Superior Avenue in two, with a raised median for bike lanes and landscaping in the middle. The design would make the street unviable for the large floats and processions featured in the parade. What they're saying: Patrick Murphy, director emeritus for the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, told News 5 the project puts the parade "in jeopardy." "You're gonna squeeze us to a point where we're not gonna survive on Superior," he said. John Togher, executive director of the parade committee, was more diplomatic with Axios. "Our plan is to continue to discuss the future route of the parade with the city," Togher tells us. "Currently, the parade route will remain the same for the 2026 parade as the city is still finalizing the Superior Midway Project." The other side: Cleveland spokesperson Jorge Ramos Pantoja called the parade a "foundational cornerstone" in a statement, but said the city is also responsible for street safety. "In 2024, over 300 people experienced life-changing injury or death as a result of traffic crashes within our city," Pantoja said. "Based on feedback from residents — and data — solutions like the Cleveland Midway Project have proven to increase road safety for everyone, by narrowing lanes, slowing speeds, and reducing crash severity." What's next: Both sides say they're willing to discuss a new downtown parade route beginning in 2027.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cleveland's historic St. Patrick's Day parade route could change
CLEVELAND (WJW) – For generations, the beat of drums, the energy of dancers, and the sea of green have defined Cleveland's St. Patrick's Day Parade. It's more than an event—it's a celebration of heritage and a tradition that has brought the community together year after year. But while the 2025 and 2026 parades are locked in and set to continue that legacy, uncertainty looms over what will happen beyond that. Guide: 2025 St. Patrick's Day parades and events in Northeast Ohio Patrick Murphy, one of the parade's lead organizers, knows this tradition intimately. For him, it's not just about planning an event—it's about maintaining a legacy. 'It happens every year. We are able to get this thing on the street every year,' Murphy said. However, despite his focus on ensuring the success of this year's parade, Murphy admits that concerns about the future linger. 'What will happen in 2027 we don't know now. So while we would like to solidify that, we just have to focus on 2025,' he shared. The uncertainty stems from the Cleveland Midway Project—a $25 million initiative designed to transform Superior Avenue. Ohio company recalls 15,000 cases of oyster crackers The project aims to enhance safety and accessibility by adding landscaped medians, dedicated bike lanes, and improved pedestrian spaces. City leaders view the project as a major step toward a safer, more modern Cleveland. But for the parade, the project could spell major change. Murphy fears it could force the parade off its historic downtown route along Superior Avenue. 'It's absolutely concerning. It's devastating. We have been a downtown parade for all my life,' he said. The good news? The 2025 parade will go on as planned. The route is locked in, and the celebration of Cleveland's Irish heritage will continue in full force. The same holds true for 2026. But beyond that, the future is uncertain. In a statement to FOX 8, a city spokesperson emphasized the city's willingness to collaborate with parade organizers: Your 2025 Cleveland-area fish fry guide 'The City of Cleveland is still open and willing to work with parade organizers to determine a new Downtown Cleveland route for the parade beginning in 2027. It is possible to both have safer streets and continue the legacy of the Downtown Cleveland St. Patrick's Day parade, and we look forward to evolving together for the next chapter of this great Cleveland tradition.' For Murphy, the parade isn't just about floats and marching bands. It's about honoring a legacy that has shaped the city's identity for generations. 'For us to not be able to do what we do in downtown Cleveland, it would be heartbreaking,' Murphy said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
