CLEVELAND, Ohio - Public Square will remain a key transportation hub regardless of whether buses are someday rerouted from the small portion of Superior Avenue that bisects the newly renovated square, Ed Rybka, the city of Cleveland's chief of regional development, said Friday.

Rybka said that Mayor Frank Jackson is exploring ways to keep Public Square's new park space free of buses. But he said Jackson would not endorse any plan to ban buses from the roadways that border the square, which has long been an important connection point for Greater Cleveland Regional Authority buses and rapids.

As cleveland.com pointed out Thursday, Jackson and other city leaders are considering options for banning buses from a small portion of Superior, which runs east-west through Public Square. Car traffic is permanently ban from using Superior to cut through the square.

The city did not a respond earlier this week to talk more about buses and the square. But Rybka said Friday people should not interpret headlines and news stories to mean that Jackson is abandoning his long-standing position to keep the square a transportation hub.

Public Square reopened last month after a 15-month, $50 million renovation that included the removal of the portion of Ontario Street that runs north-south through the square. The park has earned rave reviews from visitors, especially during the Republican National Convention last week. Since construction began in March 2015, buses have been diverted around the square, which has remained closed to bus traffic on Superior. Buses are scheduled to begin traveling on Superior on Aug. 1.

Rybka acknowledged that some downtown businesses have complained about congestion around the square caused by buses traveling on edges of the square. He said the city wants to begin studying traffic issues now that the renovation of the square is completed. He said that he believes many car drivers have taken advantage of alternative routes, which might ultimately reduce congestion.

"Now that it is open and the dust has settled, we want to step back and look at ways to make the square more pedestrian friendly," Rybka said.

He said the city is considering all options, including keeping buses off Superior during summer months, when many activities are held. But any changes would require approval from the RTA's board of trustees, which includes a top Jackson aide.

"We will look at everything," he said.