Construction Updates – Market Infrastructure is on the way!
It’s been more than nine months since customers first entered the renovated KeyBank Produce Arcade and experienced the first taste of the Market’s Transformation Project. Since then, our construction work has continued at a rapid pace, though much of it has not been visible to the public (though you certainly may be hearing it when visiting!).
Since the winter, work has focused on transforming behind-the-scenes spaces into areas that will enable the Market to thrive for another century. The Market previously announced the transformation of the unused women’s locker room into a programmable teaching kitchen and the renovation of the dormant men’s locker room into an event and programming space. The work in these spaces is being done in parallel to a complete demolition and update to the Market’s extensive basement, as well as the creation of an external utility yard to house infrastructure systems the Market has never had before.
Current construction includes demolishing the entire existing Market basement and replacing it with a modernized space with updated food storage and prep spaces, a new refrigeration system, and the Market’s first ever onsite commercial kitchen, which vendors will use to prepare baked goods, marinated meats, to-go salads, and more directly onsite.
During the creation of the Market’s Transformation Plan, infrastructure and resiliency were cornerstone components and were among the first priorities of Cleveland Public Market Corporation (CPMC). In addition to improving the merchant experience through an overhauled basement storage and prep space, additional improvements were included in the scope of the project, include a totally new refrigeration system, adding HVAC to both the Market Hall and the Arcade spaces, and installing the critically needed back-up power generators to ensure the Market can operate during inclement weather and be a source of food when the surrounding neighborhood is without power. All of this is being done without sacrificing the historic landmark integrity of the Market’s iconic architecture and interior design.
The utility yard sits just north of the Market’s North Arcade, in an area that was previously part of the Market’s Hicks Parking Lot. Once complete, the majority of the previously available parking spaces that have been fenced off for construction will come back online.
Currently, work on the basement and utility yard is on track for completion in summer 2027. Once finished, merchants will move out of temporary storage spaces currently housed in the North Arcade and alley, which will allow for construction to move into its final stage. This includes transforming the North Arcade into a prepared food hall featuring locally owned, independent businesses offering served-on-site food in a space with expansive seating options. In addition, the alleyway between the North Arcade and Market Hall will be reimagined into an outdoor courtyard space with permanent seating and programming spaces. CPMC’s office will also be renovated to better accommodate current operations and the full team.
Fundraising for the remainder of the project is still underway. The Market recently announced that celebrity chef and Cleveland native Michael Symon and retired Chairman and CEO of Sherwin-Williams Company Chris Connor have joined forces to lead a new committee that will help CPMC raise the final $9 million needed to finish the project and bring the full vision for the Market’s future to life.
To offer your support for the Market’s transformation, donate today!