OREANDA-NEWS. May 27, 2016. The Diebold Foundation, the charitable foundation of Diebold, Incorporated (NYSE: DBD), has donated \\$100,000 to The Group Plan Commission benefiting the redevelopment of Cleveland'sPublic Square.

In partnership with the City of Cleveland, the Group Plan Commission is nearing completion on the redevelopment of Public Square, a design by renowned landscape architect James Corner Field Operation to transform Public Square into a world-class gathering place for visitors and people from Northeast Ohio to enjoy year round.  The Commission is a nonprofit organization dedicated to redeveloping Downtown Cleveland's public spaces to pave the way for future growth in the City and region. The donation will be provided by the Diebold Foundation over the next two years.

"I want to thank the Diebold Foundation for its generous donation to support the transformation of Cleveland'sPublic Square. Donations like this have such an impact on the continued growth of the city," said

Jeremy Paris, executive director of the Commission. "Public Square has not been the asset that it should be, and its transformation will benefit people in the City as well as stimulate surrounding investments. With the help of important regional players like Diebold, and years of planning and engagement in partnership with the City, the construction of the park is already changing Cleveland's narrative."

The Group Plan Commission is in the process of a three-phase redevelopment of public spaces in downtown Cleveland. The three-part project includes improving Public Square, enhancing the Mall and building an iconic pedestrian connector from the Mall to the lakefront to connect Downtown to the Lake Erie waterfront.  The Public Square redevelopment, set to be completed in June, will now be a unified space instead of four separated quadrants, intended for year-long use by increasing the green space.

"Diebold has always been committed to supporting the communities in which we operate and is proud to aid the important work of The Group Plan Commission as they redevelop and revitalize Cleveland'sPublic Square," said

Jonathan Leiken, senior vice president, chief legal officer and secretary. "We believe Northeast Ohio is a premier location for business, entertainment and culture, and aiding efforts such as those being accomplished by The Group Plan is a key component of the Diebold Foundation's mission."

About The Group Plan
The Group Plan Commission (GPC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization facilitating collaborative efforts of the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and key civic organizations. The purpose of the GPC is to create public spaces that transform downtown, leverage existing development, and pave the way for future growth.