What if, Downtown Cleveland Alliance CEO Michael Deemer wants to know, downtown doubles down on what already makes it special: its culture, entertainment, food, architecture, parks and waterfronts?

• "What if these gems could be easily connected and navigated by foot, bike and wheelchair?" he asked. "What if, as you traveled, you encountered something delightful and surprising … all within a clean, safe and welcoming environment?"

Driving the news: That's the framework for "Reimagining Downtown Cleveland," a new suite of policy priorities aimed at reactivating the urban core after COVID-19.

The big picture: The goal, Deemer said at a press conference unveiling the strategy yesterday, is to transform downtown from a "central business district" to a "central community district."

The latest: Cleveland City Council on Monday passed legislation allocating $5 million for the installation, maintenance and enforcement of a system of smart parking meters downtown, replacing many of the coin-operated meters now in use.

• That's just one of a series of short- and intermediate-term upgrades to downtown infrastructure to improve the economy, the experience and the environment.

Details: Motivated by hybrid and commuting workers, and with a goal of 30,000 residents by 2030, Cleveland officials say the city is leading the charge nationally in converting office space to residential units and new, modern adaptive workspaces.

• Deemer said downtown would be enlivened in 2023 with 600 "activations" — live music and farmers markets and the like — up from 450 in 2022.
• Plus: DCA has engaged a consultant to complete a retail strategic plan and intends to hire 20 additional street ambassadors (in addition to the peak of nearly 100 in the summer) to enhance the atmosphere of cleanliness and safety.

The bottom line: One reporter asked why, after decades of downtown and lakefront plans that went nowhere, Clevelanders should take this one seriously.

• "You have a mayor, a county executive, a county council and a city council committed to getting it done," Mayor Justin Bibb said. "That's what's different."

A Cleveland native is at the helm of what promises to be one of this summer's blockbusters.

Driving the news: "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" opens this week and is directed by John Marshall High School grad Steven Caple Jr., who left Tremont for USC film school.

• Here's a look at the projects that propelled Caple to blockbuster glory:

🌳 "A Different Tree"

Caple's big break came in 2013 when his student film "A Different Tree" won HBO's Short Film competition.

• It follows an 8-year-old girl who builds a relationship with her absent father through a school family tree project.

🛹 "The Land"

Caple's first feature film was shot in Cleveland over three weeks in July 2015.

• "The Land," which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016, centers on four teenage boys who hope to use skateboarding to make it out of Cleveland but get caught in the web of a local drug queenpin.

🥊 "Creed II"

Caple stepped up to the big leagues when he took over the "Rocky"/"Creed" franchise from former USC classmate Ryan Coogler ("Black Panther").

• Caple directed Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone in "Creed 2," which grossed more than $214 million worldwide.

🤖 "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts"

Caple directs the seventh entry in a "Transformers" film franchise that has grossed nearly $5 billion worldwide.

• "Rise of the Beasts" is expected to earn around $70 million during its opening week in North America, which would be the largest haul yet for a Caple-helmed film.

What's next

🏎️ Local vape shop Planet of the Vapes mounted a billboard to warn motorists of strict speed enforcement in Linndale. (Washington Post)

• Of note: The story was first covered last month by Cleveland Magazine.

😇 Patron Saint, an Italian-inspired cafe and aperitivo bar, is now open in Ohio City. (Cleveland Scene)

💸 Bibb's finance chief, Ahmed Abonamah, is opposed to the People's Budget Cleveland initiative. (Cleveland.com)

Our weeklong countdown of the 10 biggest Cleveland sports of the 21st century continues with the return of a king and a playoff upset.

👑 6. Return of the King

Clevelanders will never forget where they were on July 11, 2014, when LeBron James announced his return to Cleveland.

• In 2010, James left the Cavs by announcing he was taking his talents to South Beach during an ESPN television special.
• For his return, James wrote in a letter on Sports Illustrated's website: "In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have. I'm ready to accept the challenge. I'm coming home."

🏈 5. Browns' first playoff win in 27 years

The Browns haven't had the best 21st century, but the team's 48-37 playoff win over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 10, 2021, was something to behold.

• With Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski forced to stay home after testing positive for COVID-19, the team thwarted Pittsburgh's comeback on the road.
• It was the Browns' first playoff win since 1995.

Check back tomorrow for the next two entries.

👀 Check out who's hiring on our Job Board.

1. Continuous Improvement Director, Global Operations at Howmet Aerospace.
2. Program Director, Nursing at Cuyahoga Community College.
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🚨 Sam and Troy here. Our Indianapolis-based editor, Lindsey Erdody, is in town this week for some good old-fashioned staff camaraderie.

The latest: Last night, we took her to Cordelia on East 4th Street (soon to be a designated outdoor refreshment area) and caught a Guardians game — a classic summer Cleveland evening.

💭 Lindsey's thought bubble: I'm loving exploring all the different parts of the city — I stopped at Great Lakes Brewing Company in Ohio City, ran past the Sherwin-Williams construction downtown and got my caffeine fix at Machine Gun Kelly's 27 Club Coffee in the Flats.

• Plus: I visited A Christmas Story House and Museum. Look for my thoughts on that in a future newsletter.