CLEVELAND — In the near future, when you "look up at the sky" in downtown Cleveland, you may actually see Superman!
On Friday, the Cleveland Planning Commission approved a proposal to create the Siegel and Shuster Tribute Plaza at the southwest corner of the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland at Ontario Street and St. Clair Avenue.
The plaza will pay homage to Cleveland natives Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman.
"Philadelphia has Rocky Balboa, Milwaukee has the 'Bronze Fonz.' In Cleveland, we want to bring the 'Man of Steel,'" explained Nick Slaughterbeck, architect and project manager from the design firm Moody Nolan.
So what can we expect to see from the plaza once it comes to life?
Slaughterbeck told commissioners that the vision of the plaza will be "to tell a story" in three parts.
The Phone Booth
"Viewers will be able to see what appears to be the clothing of mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent in the phone booth," Slaughterbeck explained.
The phone booth will be locked and non-operational.
Siegel and Shuster Statue
To the left of the phone booth will be a bronze statue featuring Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster and Siegel's wife, Joanne, who served as the model for Superman's love interest, Lois Lane. They are seen pointing and looking up at Superman.
Superman Statue
The highlight of the plaza will be an 18-foot tall stainless steel statue of Superman.
When you put it all together in a park-like setting with grass, trees, pavers and benches, here's how the Siegel and Shuster Tribute Plaza will look.
"Superman is arguably one of the greatest cultural contributions to American pop culture in all of American history. Cleveland should be very proud of that," Slaughterbeck said at the end of his presentation.
You can see the proposal that was presented to the Cleveland Planning Commission below.
The Cleveland Planning Commission approved the proposed plaza "with conditions" that included revisions to concrete and grassy areas, a different location for a commemorative plaque, the addition of back-to-back benches, and the creation of an ideal spot for photo and social media opportunities.
The Siegel & Shuster Society says it is funding the cost for construction of the sculptures and the infrastructure in the plaza, while the Cuyahoga County Convention Facilities Development Corporation will handle the maintenance of the plaza.
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