Public Auditorum

Every city needs a place like Public Auditorium. A place where business expositions can be held and a place where music andcommunity conversation can take place. In Cleveland, Public Auditorium is just that type of place. The building is part ofthe group plan. This plan was conceived as the heart of a growing and important city in America. The group plan wouldcentralize Cleveland s most important political, justice, and community spaces around a park like mall in the middle of thecity. Included in these buildings would be city hall, the county courthouse, the public school s administration building, thecounty administration building, the federal courthouse, the public library, and a public hall. It did not come about easily nor all at once. An idea for a public hall was brought forward in 1899 but did not get completeduntil 1922. Along the way there were starts and stops. Along the way it took several enlightened and influential city leaderswho would move the project ever closer to completion. There was a war and hesitancy on the part of the public and othercity leaders worried about costs and risk. It represents an example of seeking perfection over utility that almost scuttled theproject. However, once completed the plan and Public Hall proved to be a true center of the city as it grew and as it declined.