As the grand opening of the Greater Cleveland Aquarium approaches, sentiments among Clevelanders are mixed. Ticket prices and a no-stroller policy have disgruntled some parents. Falling short of the promise to hire 40 full-time employees has also caused people to question whether the huge financial investment is worth it. Clevelanders have a penchant for criticizing imperfect attempts at progress, and the aquarium is in the spotlight as it opens its doors. The aquarium found a home in the FirstEnergy Powerhouse, shooing the Improv up the river to a larger location next to Shooters. This unique 70,000-square-foot venue for the new attraction is part of the motivation behind the stroller policy — certain exhibits are placed in narrow walkways of the old building. A poll among Clevelanders also ended in favor of banning strollers and wagons to alleviate congestion. The new addition to the west bank of the Flats aims to boost Cleveland tourism from out-of-staters and Northeast Ohio suburbanites alike. Fish began arriving in late December from Florida, via an 18-wheeler of saltwater tanks specific to each species. Species include squirrel fish, sergeant major, blue chromis and butterflyfish, just to name a few. Larger species such as octopi and sharks were shipped separately. Permanent homes for the aquatic residents — which total around 5,000 — were designed by artists from Marinescape NZ Ltd., a company based in New Zealand. The habitats feature brightly colored corals, rocks and seaweed. A shipwreck scene is featured in the facility’s largest tank, a 4,738-square-foot enclosure that’s home to 15 sharks and other sea life. The main shark tank will provide a venue for Marinescape’s Seatube, a 145-foot walk-through tunnel that lets visitors experience sharks and their tankmates from an underwater perspective, sans scuba gear. A “touch tank” allows visitors to interact directly with animals such as starfish, crabs, stingrays and sharks. Two American alligators round out the lineup in a habitat resembling the Everglades, complete with a marshy cabin scene. Additionally, the aquarium will celebrate its home with an exhibit on Ohio lakes and rivers that features native species from nearby freshwater habitations, including sunfish, darters, minnows and trout. It aims to educate people on local wildlife and its important role in Ohio’s ecosystem. Educational outreach is an important facet of the aquarium’s mission, creating opportunities for field trips and other group outings, with special pricing for groups of 15 or more. There are also three options for facility rental, ranging in capacity from 300 to 600. Admission prices are on par with other aquariums: Single tickets are $15.95 per child and $21.95 per adult, compared to a range of $18-$35 among aquariums in New Jersey, Tennessee and Atlanta. The aquarium developments have spurred talks of plans for both banks of the Flats to attract more tourism and income to the city. Murmurs of a hotel, office buildings and restaurants have circulated from the developers of Flats East Bank. Again, disagreement over priorities, execution and economic impact surround the topic. This area has earned a reputation for building up fast and crashing hard, so skepticism is not surprising. But with plans that cater to a slightly older, family-oriented demographic, a more stable and visitor-friendly future is the goal for the Flats. The agenda, notably not centered solely on nightclubs, aims for longevity and growth. The Greater Cleveland Aquarium is the first visible sign of this renewal, and an indication of the type of crowd that investors and developers hope to draw. Shark Week and National Geographic are great, but it’s impossible to replicate the experience of seeing aquatic life in the flesh (and gills). Admission is more than a movie ticket, but a lot less than an oceanside vacation. Photo by: Bob Perkoski