West Side Market Begins $68 Million Transformation While Preserving Historic Legacy

CLEVELAND, OH — Northeast Ohio's iconic West Side Market is moving forward with a $68 million renovation plan that aims to modernize its infrastructure, expand its offerings, and ensure its future as a vital community hub. Construction is set to begin in May 2025 and will unfold over several phases, allowing the market to remain open throughout the process.

Following national best practices, the City of Cleveland has retained ownership of the 113-year-old building while transitioning management and operations to the Cleveland Public Market Corporation (CPMC), a nonprofit entity solely dedicated to the Market's success. According to the West Side Market's official website, this new structure allows the city to maintain ownership of the historic site while enabling flexible, specialized management.

The comprehensive West Side Market Masterplan, developed with input from vendors, stakeholders, city officials, employees, and industry experts, was publicly presented in June 2023. It outlines physical renovations, operational improvements, and a strategy for financial sustainability. As Rosemary Mudry, Executive Director of CPMC, stated to Cleveland.com, "It’s thrilling to see this process move from concept to reality."

Among the immediate improvements, the East Arcade will be transformed into a climate-controlled, modernized produce market, complete with direct access to food storage facilities and upgraded customer accessibility. This marks the first stage of the project, with permit applications filed on March 3, 2025. After completing East Arcade renovations, attention will shift to the Market’s 29,500-square-foot basement, which will see installation of individual walk-in coolers, a shared commercial kitchen, and expanded butcher and food prep areas.

Later stages of the renovation include a full reimagining of the North Arcade into a prepared food hall hosting 12 local businesses serving hot meals and beverages. This space, alongside a landscaped and retractable-door courtyard, will offer significantly expanded indoor and outdoor public seating. According to Cleveland 19 News, the renovations will also introduce a teaching kitchen, an event space housed in the long-vacant men's locker room, and ADA-accessible improvements throughout the facility.

The Masterplan also emphasizes sustainability, aiming for LEED certification by implementing green building practices. “In the development of the plans, we worked closely with our architecture and engineering team to ensure we’re making decisions for the renovations that can result in achieving LEED certification,” Mudry told Cleveland.com.

Financing for the transformation has largely been secured. CPMC has closed on more than $50 million, including $39 million from government, foundation, and philanthropic sources and over $12 million from New Market and Historic tax credits, according to multiple reports. Efforts to raise the remaining $18 million are ongoing and critical to completing elements such as the teaching kitchen and expanded event spaces.

Architectural and engineering work for the renovation is being led by DLR Group, Robert P. Madison International, Independence Construction, and the AKA Team. Renderings released to the public on April 25, 2025, provide a detailed look at the forthcoming upgrades while affirming that the iconic Market Hall interior and exterior will remain unchanged, preserving the Market's historic charm.

“For over a century, Cleveland’s West Side Market has been a hub of commerce and community, where vendors and visitors connect through food and tradition,” said Todd Mayher, principal and project manager at DLR Group, as quoted by Cleveland.com. “Our design of this renovation and expansion preserves that legacy while ensuring a more inclusive, accessible, and dynamic experience for all guests.”

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