The quarter-billion-dollar I-480 Valley View bridge construction project started awhile ago, all the way back in the spring of 2018. It’s already been four long years, and Cleveland has two more to go before the six-year project is finished sometime in the summer of 2024.
At that point, there will be six eastbound lanes and six westbound, with two in each direction on the new middle bridge constructed between the original two built in the 1970s.
Will all this abate the congestion and aggravation of 180,000 vehicles passing over the stretch every day? Research says the opposite. But we digress.
Instead, let’s marvel at how long this has taken and how much the world has changed since ODOT dropped the first orange barrel four years ago.
You will love the Browns Credit: Scene ArchivesFormer Cleveland Councilman Ken Johnson went to jail.
In 2021, Johnson, a 40-year veteran of Cleveland City Council, was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to pay $740,000 in restitution for a number of fraudulent schemes he ran as a councilman. Credit: Scene ArchivesThe largest fraud and bribery case in Ohio history happened
In 2022, it was found that FirstEnergy’s CEO and senior vice president “devised and orchestrated” a $64 million bribery scheme to pay a top legislative leader and utility regulator in exchange for official action. The FBI got involved and ordered FirstEnergy to pay a $230 million penalty. Credit: Scene ArchivesMichael Symon closed Lola and never reopened Lolita
The two restaurants that the celebrity chef was locally known for, Lola and Lolita. don’t exist anymore. Symon went from a mini-empire in Northeast Ohio to two locations of Mabel’s BBQ. Credit: Scene ArchivesFrank Jackson finally left office
After four terms and 16 years as Cleveland mayor, Frank Jackson left office. He did not seek re-election for a fifth term, and for that, we thank him. Credit: Scene ArchivesFRONT Triennial
The second iteration of the FRONT International: Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art returns this summer with dozens of free installations, performances and public programs from more than 75 international artists. ‘Oh, Gods of Dust and Rainbows’ promises to be bigger and better than the inaugural exhibition and runs July 16 through October 2 all across Cleveland, Akron and Oberlin. Find out more at frontart.org Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Indians became the Guardians
Cleveland’s baseball team got a whole new name and identity after finally ditching the problematic moniker and racist Chief Wahoo logo. Credit: Scene ArchivesFaceTime became the dominant mode of communication
Just don’t fucking call me. Credit: Scene ArchivesThere was a whole global pandemic.
The pandemic has caused 6.5 million deaths since 2020 and there have been over 600 million cases. And it’s still going on. Credit: Flickr/Young ShanahanSokolowski’s
And Lido Lounge (RIP)
Via B_Moss18/Reddit Credit: Scene ArchivesIntro Restaurants
2138 West 25th St., Cleveland
When all is said and done, INTRO in Ohio City will offer residents and visitors three separate F&B options. Leaps and Bounds will be a stylish all-day café. Pioneer is a spacious, contemporary but casual sports bar serving wood-fired foods. And Jaja, a second-floor dining room featuring a retractable glass roof and airy patio, will serve small plates and steaks with a lounge-like vibe. Credit: Scene ArchivesLeBron left Cleveland, again
LeBron left Cleveland, this time for Los Angeles. He did win an NBA Championship during the COVID-shortened 2020 season in Los Angeles, but his time in California has mostly been a major failure on the court. Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Browns quarterback will never be good enough to get universal support Credit: Scene ArchivesPlayhouse Square built the Lumen
Another downtown development project, the Lumen at Playhouse Square, was completed in late 2020. Credit: Scene ArchivesMGK is the best musical act to come out of Cleveland. Credit: Scene ArchivesCheck out the Redline Greenway
Cleveland’s newest gem just opened and the two-mile trail connecting the Zone Recreation Center and the West bank of the Cuyahoga is already one of the most popular routes in the Metroparks. The westernportion of the trail abuts I-90, but once you get past the exchanges at W. 44th and W. 41st, you descend into a scenic, shaded ride along the train tracks. The whole thing is safe, clean and beautifully landscaped and with Ohio City at one
end and Detroit-Shoreway on the other, there’s no shortage of places to stop for a
bite or a brew as you enjoy your afternoon.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesCleveland and Cuyahoga County have continued to give the Cavaliers and Guardians millions for stadium renovations
In 2019, Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse debuted its significant makeover after receiving close to $70 million (pre interest) tax dollars from the city and county. A nice haul for Dan Gilbert, one of the richest men in the world. The Guardians are starting a major renovation of their own with taxpayer dollars that is set to begin after the 2023 season. Credit: Scene ArchivesCelebrity Chef Jonathan Sawyer closed Greenhouse Tavern and moved to Chicago
James Beard Award Winner Jonathan Sawyer shuttered the beloved Greenhouse Tavern abruptly in early 2020, right before the pandemic, despite owing money to staff and vendors alike. Sawyer quickly skipped town to become head chef at a restaurant in Chicago. Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Unify Project became Unify Labs which created UnifyJobs which is now UnifyWork Credit: Scene ArchivesThe Van Aken District
3401 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
Once again, the Van Aken District has converted a portion of the area’s main thoroughfare, Tuttle Road, into a turf-lined pedestrian-only seating area. The sun-soaked outdoor space functions as the patio for Market Hall eateries like Banter, On the Rise, Domo Yakitori, Scorpacciata and Lox, Stock and Brisket. And because the lane is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, diners can stroll with alcoholic beverages purchased at Craft Collective. Throughout the season, the site also plays host to farmers’ markets, makers’ markets and live entertainment. Credit: Scene ArchivesTikTok became the new ‘it’ social media app
Where did the last 17 hours go? Whoopsie. Credit: ScreenshotCredit: Walsh Group/ODOT
