Cleveland looking at ways to create ’new-look’ downtown

CLEVELAND (AP) — City planners here want to see a more walkable, street-friendly downtown.

The mayor’s zoning administration is asking the city’s planning commission to approve changes requiring developers to make Cleveland’s downtown more lively and densely developed.

They want developers to no longer put up parking garages or buildings with windowless walls that turn sidewalks into lifeless blocks.

The idea is create more apartments, retail and offices along the street fronts.

The Plain Dealer newspaper reports the changes could transform Cleveland’s downtown over time as new developments are built.