In the Plaza
Canton Sign
An artistic, custom sign will boldly welcome guests to the plaza with its symbolic gesture to the McKinley Monument and the city’s notoriety as the birthplace of professional football. Strategically placed downtown at one of the most photogenic locations, the Canton Sign is the city’s most popular photo-op, reflecting our communities’ impact and lasting legacy.
Donor Recognition Wall
The Donor Recognition Wall celebrates all those involved with the realization of Centennial Plaza, beginning with The Rotary Club of Canton who provided the catalyst for the creation of Centennial Plaza through a donation celebrating its more than 100 years of active leadership in the community. This donation was presented to the City of Canton, its citizens and visitors, as a demonstration of the Rotary Club’s mission of “Service Above Self.”
NFL 100 Year Player Pylons
The NFL 100 Year Player Pylons are two-sided semi-transparent, internally illuminated glass vertical panels with over 25,000 names of the players from the League’s first 100-years.
- Professional Football City Pavers – In order to highlight Canton as the birthplace of professional football, while also acknowledging all the other communities that made the league possible, pavers have been stamped with every city’s name that was once a home to a professional football team.
Centennial Pavilion
Anchoring the design of Canton’s Centennial Plaza is a simple yet elegant, sweeping steel structure called the Centennial Pavilion that shrouds the event lawn for approximately 5,000 guests. At night, an array of thematic LED accent lighting comes to life – which is fully programmable – providing scripted scenes that will encapsulate the space allowing for 24/7 use.
- Main Performance Stage – An elevated area in the southwestern corner of the Centennial Plaza that overlooks the main Event Lawn. This section of plaza offers a picturesque backdrop of the Centennial Pavilion. The Main Performance Stage with its integrated audio/visual and lighting capabilities was designed for live performances, as a public speaking platform and for a wide variety of programmed events.
- Large Format High Definition LED Videoboard – In addition to popular local events utilizing the performance spaces, a large format high definition LED videoboard has been installed which has the ability to broadcast live or pre-recorded events and/or programming.
Event Lawn
The main Event Lawn is a beautiful synthetic turf green space, elevated and depressed ever so slightly to provide unobstructed viewing of the main performance stage. Situated in the in the center of the plaza and encompassed by the Centennial Pavilion, this open area is reminiscent of the shape of a football that will be used for general seating during events, or just as a place to sit and relax while enjoying the Free Public WiFi Access.
Rotunda Spires
On axis with the Centennial Pavilion and Event Lawn is the iconic 65’ tall stainless-steel Rotunda Spires. Inspired by the rotunda of the original Hall of Fame building, the new Rotunda sculpture gracefully suggests that of a four-seamed football, establishing an iconic special presence and a memorable landmark for downtown.
- Secondary Performance Stage – Directly below the Rotunda spires, with adjacent amphitheater seating is an area designated as the secondary stage area of the plaza.
Digital Kiosks
Complementing the large format videoboard and expanding upon the plaza’s technical capabilities, a series of two-sided digital kiosks have been placed around the perimeter of the main event lawn that will provide visually stunning images along with informational content to the plazas visiting public.
Jerzee's Café
The café building will house Chris Maggiore’s new Jerzee’s downtown bar and grille. Complete with public restrooms, the structure demonstrates its sustainable features with the incorporation of a green roof that is penetrated from within by the ‘Oculus’ skylight feature. Outdoor café seating will occupy the plaza for both dining and leisurely conversation within locally sourced building materials that expound upon Canton’s sense of community pride. Jerzee’s Café proudly serves Starbucks Coffee and is an official Ohio Lottery Vendor.
Social Garden
The social garden is an important component of the plaza. This large outdoor room acts as a casual gathering space for visitors and groups alike; with oversized picnic tables, lounge chairs and warming areas which are contained within a bosque of trees with overhead catenary lighting for comfort and seasonal use.
Interactive Mist Garden / Play Area
An interactive play area will captivate visitors by provide an alluring misting water feature, creating a unique fog aesthetic and cinematic effects along Market Avenue; which serves as the front door to the plaza. This area will serve as a contemplative space at night and a children’s play area during the day with a play surface that provides safety to one and all.