Pulaski  Plaza, a monument of significance to Greater Cleveland’s Polish  Community, will return to its location on Mall C when the Medical Mart project is completed. 

Councilman Brancatelli, who serves on the Landmark Commission, was alerted by Gary Kotlarsic, Chairman of the Cultural & Education Committee of the Polish American Congress, that the monument may be in jeopardy with the construction of the new Medical Mart.  

The City of Cleveland’s Landmark Commission voted unanimously on December 9, 2010 to preserve Pulaski Plaza, located on Mall C, and its monument in honor of General Casimir Pulaski, a American Revolutionary war hero.  

MMPI, the owners and developers of the Cleveland Medical Mart and Convention Center, had made a presentation to the Landmarks Commission on December 9 seeking permission to demolish a portion of the old convention center and to remove the top portions of Mall C as part of their development of the site.  Councilman Brancatelli motioned to approve their request for demolition with the amendment that MMPI appropriately remove, store then replace the cannon, plaques and plaza to its prominent place on Mall C.  The owners’ representative of MMPI and the Jackson Administration agreed to this amendment and it was unanimously passed by the commission.

A history of Pulaski Plaza:

• The original Pulaski Square was dedicated in 1937 at East 12th Street and Superior Avenue N.E. which included the “Polish Rifle”- a long, slim, black naval cannon made in 1899.  
• Pulaski Plaza was re-dedicated on Mall C in 1968 by then Mayor Carl B. Stokes.  The monument was to be eliminated as part of a $20 million 1968 urban renewal project to build a 20-story apartment tower.

A local legend was honored on Nov. 15 when city officials named a roadway after him. A ceremony took place in which East Roadway was renamed Jesse Owens Way.

The ceremony featured Owens’ daughter Gloria Hemphill Owens, Maltz Museum Founder Milton Maltz, Cleveland City Council members, and students on the Cleveland Metropolitan Track Teams, All-City Drumline and All-City Cheerleading Squad.

Jesse Ownes competed in the Olympic games in Berlin. The Nazi Olympics Berlin 1936, now showing at the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood, explores the issues surrounding the 1936 Games--the Nazis' use of propaganda, the intense boycott debate, the history of the torch run, the historic performance of Owens and more. Video testimonials from Olympians and boycotters are featured, along with an original torch from that year’s Games, historical photographs and film footage.

The Maltz Museum has added several items of Owens’ personal memorabilia, courtesy of The Ohio State University’s collection, including his diary from the voyage to Berlin, one of his gold medals and a trophy won at East Tech High School in 1932.

The exterior of the Terminal Tower will be lit in blue to raise arthritis awareness on Oct. 12, for World Arthritis Day. To inform individuals about statistics and facts about arthritis nationwide, the Arthritis Foundation is urging landmarks and prominent buildings across the country to take on a blue hue.

Additionally, on Oct. 12 the Northeastern Ohio Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation will honor the Cleveland Foundation and Ronald B. Richard, its president and CEO, as “Community Leaders of the Year” from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center.