Cuyahoga County Planning Commission Weblog: Cleveland west side

Freeways without futures

2012-02-03T04:09:50Z

The Congress for New Urbanism included Cleveland's West Shoreway in its 2012 Freeways Without Futures report, a list of "urban freeways that have the most potential to be transformed from broken liabilities to vibrant assets that support valuable places."

Cleveland's CREG Center plans

2012-01-19T04:18:24Z

The Ohio EPA recently held a public hearing about the City of Cleveland's proposed waste-to-energy facility for the Ridge Road Transfer Station. The City is promoting the plans as a way to generate electricity, create jobs, and reduce the City's carbon footprint, but many residents and environmentalists oppose its construction. To allow for more dialogue, the Ohio EPA extended its public comment period and the City will hold a community meeting on January 19. Councilman Brian Cummins posted a list of resources, while Marc Lefkowitz suggested some alternative ideas.

Update: about 100 people attended the community meeting, and the City of Cleveland scheduled three additional meetings. The Ohio EPA will accept public comments (PDF) through February 23.

Ohio Preservation Tax Credits, round seven

2011-12-30T04:41:31Z

The Ohio Department of Development awarded $14.9 million in Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits for 13 rehabilitation projects. Eight of the projects are in Northeast Ohio, and four are in Cleveland. The Victory Building at Euclid Avenue and East 71st Street received a $4.38 million credit, the Park and Southworth Buildings on Public Square received a $1.98 million credit, the Rialto Theater on West 25th Street received a $484,108 credit, and the Gifford House on Prospect Avenue received a $108,914 credit. An Akron Beacon Journal editorial supports the tax credit program.

West Shoreway advocacy

2011-12-20T04:56:23Z

A group of Cleveland leaders, residents, and bicycling advocates traveled to Columbus last Thursday to demonstrate their support for the West Shoreway reconstruction plans. They attended a Transportation Review Advisory Council meeting and spoke with ODOT officials.

Update: Scene reported on the project, as well.

A re-imagining example

2011-12-19T22:19:44Z

WKSU looked at how the Reimagining Cleveland initiative is helping to create a school garden at Buhrer Elementary School in Tremont.

West Shoreway criticism continues

2011-12-07T23:09:48Z

Last week's public meeting about the West Shoreway plans attracted a large audience. Cleveland officials criticized ODOT's approach to the project and encouraged residents to attend the December 15 TRAC meeting in Columbus as a show of support. GreenCityBlueLake's Marc Lefkowitz said that to succeed, the project must expediently serve the the bicycle and pedestrian communities.

Update: Fresh Water provided the City's views.

Zone Rec Center improvements

2011-11-30T22:54:32Z

The City of Cleveland is making improvements in and around the Michael J. Zone Recreation Center at West 65th Street and Lorain Avenue. Work began in June and is scheduled for completion in July 2012. When it is finished, the 22-acre park will provide opportunities for active recreation in an ecologically friendly environment.

West Shoreway animosity

2011-11-23T22:31:48Z

Mayor Jackson and members of Cleveland City Council expressed anger with the Ohio Department of Transportation's handing of the West Shoreway reconstruction plans. Streetsblog, Rust Wire, and a Plain Dealer editorial were all sharply critical of the agency, as well. Bike Cleveland is encouraging interested citizens to attend a public meeting on December 1.

MetroHealth's plans

2011-11-12T04:36:01Z

Leaders of Cuyahoga County's MetroHealth System want to demolish and replace the towers at its main campus on West 25th Street in Cleveland. A master plan is being prepared.

Capital campaign for the market

2011-11-05T03:59:15Z

As the West Side Market approaches its 2012 centennial, Ohio City Incorporated is raising funds for events and improvements.

Update: a Plain Dealer editorial called it a "long-term, long-overdue commitment to Cleveland's culinary treasure."

Old Brooklyn's wi-fi network

2011-10-28T03:24:00Z

Scene looked at the implementation of the free wireless internet access program in Old Brooklyn.

Updates on notable Cleveland churches

2011-10-11T01:13:21Z

The Cleveland Restoration Society's October newsletter provides updates the Cleveland Clinic's efforts to demolish the Euclid Avenue Church of God and the nearby Church of the Transfiguration, the recently-demolished St. Catherine Roman Catholic Church on East 93rd Street, and the sale of the Brooklyn Memorial United Methodist Church on Archwood Avenue in Brooklyn Centre.

Cleveland Hostel

2011-10-11T00:42:12Z

A Geneva man plans to establish a 60-bed hostel on West 25th Street in Ohio City. When it opens in May, it will be the area's first hostel since the hostel at the Stanford House closed in 2008. A Plain Dealer editorial said it should help make the neighborhood "even more of a destination."

Residential development update

2011-10-04T22:11:49Z

Several local residential projects are under construction or being planned.

Chagrin Falls residents are closely watching the development of the River Walk townhouses on West Orange Street.
The Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization is renovating the 22-unit Sylvia Apartments on Franklin Boulevard.
Ohio City's landmark Franklin Castle was sold last month to a European artist. Plans call for renovating it as three residential units.
A developer wants to fill 1.2 acres of wetlands and streams in Independence for a residential development.
Lakewood City Council approved a community reinvestment area for the planned Metro Townhomes on Sloane Avenue.
In Strongsville, work is underway at the Westwood Farms subdivision and at the Cedar Creek subdivision.

Planning for Kamm's Corners

2011-10-01T02:39:18Z

The Cleveland City Planning Commission asked the Kamm's Corners Development Corporation to revise its West Park/Lorain Avenue Transportation & Redevelopment Plan. They said that the current version is too broad.