Cedar Lee Plan 2026

Cedar

What We Heard

Cedar Lee

Biggest commercial district in Cleveland Heights

Arts and Cultural anchors include Heights

Arts, Cedar Lee Theater, Dobama, Cain Park

Many different dining opportunity from fine to casual dining

High school has a grand presence

Challenges:

Currently doesn’t feel like an arts district

Desire to connect more concentrated commercial section with Cain Park

Creating a place people want to spend time in with high traffic

Personality Matrix

Cedar-Lee Personality Moodboard | Social • Vibrant • Community

CEDAR LEE PUBLIC ART PLAN

Opportunities for Cedar Lee

Unify and connect district through public art

Use murals and installations that identify district as a special place and bring fun and interest to areas of activity

Integrate lighting into public art

Build on existing assets: local businesses, ultra-local artists, Heights Arts pocket park

Work with local artists and use the implementation of public art as an opportunity for engagement

Use art as a traffic control tool

Using art to expand on brand of Cleveland Heights as an arts city: the region’s “home of the arts”

Map of Cedar Lee | FULL DISTRICT

Cedar Lee | Focus Area

This area is well-suited for the initial phase of concentrated public art due to its arts and culture scene anchored by institutions like Heights Arts and the Cedar Lee Theater and its active restaurants and businesses. There are opportunities to enhance comfort and engagement by creating inviting spaces for waiting, lounging, and exploration. A focused public art initiative, paired with creative visual branding, will help clearly define and promote this area as a dynamic arts district.

Sidewalk Art

Sidewalk art can be a low cost way of adding wayfinding, and gives pedestrians opportuntiy to engage with their their surroundings as they walk and help connect the district; other locations can be added through out the district

Potential Partners Budget:

$2,000-$10,000

SID, City, Businesses, Heights Arts

Murals

A series of large-scale murals along Cedar Lee would make a significant impact at a relatively low cost. We’ve identified eight walls within the focus area that could serve as potential mural sites. Murals offer an excellent opportunity to engage a diverse range of local artists, reinforce the arts district’s brand identity, and showcase a variety

Budget:

$15,000-40,000 each

Large Mural

The large wall overlooking the parking lot across from the Cedar Lee Theater presents an opportunity for a major landmark public artwork. This site could support unconventional approaches, like glow-in-the-dark paint or integrated lighting, to create a strong nighttime presence. Artwork would require an experienced local, national, or international artist.

Potential Partners Budget:

$80,000-$200,000

Building Owners

Light Pole Banners

Artistically-designed light pole banners could be used as a cost effective way to showcase a local artist and the district’s branding and unify the district.

Potential Partners Budget:

$15,000-30,000

Local Artists

Parking Garage Art

There are several opportunities to enhance the public parking garage. Applying vinyl or paint to the glass stairwells could be a cost-effective way to introduce visual interest and improve wayfinding. Exterior artwork could transform the building (currently somewhat of an eyesore) into a giant painted canvas that signals arrival to a major arts district. Interior art installations could create an engaging, artful experience the moment visitors exit their vehicles, while also serving as functional wayfinding elements.

Budget:

Vinyl Decal $10,000-$20,000

Interior Mural Series $40,000-$70,000

Exterior Mural $50,000-$200,000

Mini Public Park

Interactive art, sculpture, pavement painting, and functional art (like swings, seating, and tables) could help create a fun visual landmark and welcoming gathering space for district visitors. The hillside behind the area will naturally attract children to play, especially if their families have a reason to linger. This space could become a natural meeting spot for friends and families to gather before or after enjoying a meal, art show, or movie in the district.

Budget:

$90,000-$200,000

Pocket Park

The space outside of Heights Arts already serves as a gathering space for programming and cut-through walkway. With additional art, lighting, landscape, and fuctional enhancements, the space could be stand-out pocket park where district residents and visitors naturally gather at all times of day and evening. We included a budget range for a sculptural or interactive art element to bring attention and interest to the space, but we would also like to explore if a budget has already been developed that goes along with the landscape plan.

$30,000-$100,000 Public Art Only Budget:

Other project opportunities

Fence Art

$2,000-$12,000

Utility Boxes $3,000-$5,000

Silsby/Meadowbrook

Crosswalks, Sidewalk

Cedar Lee

Draft Budget Scenerio 1

Crosswalk / Curb Extension Art (2)

Light Pole Banners (30)

$40,000 $20,000

Sidewalk Art

Building Murals (3 x $25K)

Estimated total : $145,000 $10,000 $75,000

Cedar Lee

Draft Budget Scenerio 2

Building Murals (4 @ $22K)

Large Mural $88,000 $97,000

Estimated total : $185,000

Cedar Lee

Draft Budget Scenerio 3

Mini Building Mural (1)

Sculpture

Bench/Functional Art

Lighting

Artful Signage

$15,000 $75,000

Estimated total : $35,000 $180,000 $35,000 $20,000

Cedar Lee

Draft Budget Scenerio 4

Mini Artful Stage (2*)

Building Murals (3 @ $21.5K)

$120,000

$65,000

Estimated total : $185,000

*In this senario, we would have $120,000 commission to one artists to create two mini stages with complimentary designs - one for Cedar Lee and one for Coventry.)

Determined Projects for Cedar-Lee 2026

A series of murals through out the district

(6 x $23,000 or 6 x $18000–$30,000)

Graffiti Coat & Contingency Fund ( 6 x 2,000 = $12,000 )

$138,000 $12,000

Estimated total : $150,000