On December 11, 2009 the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2009-037 Project Planning Review Resolution No. 2009-038 Plan and TIP Amendment Title: Streetscape Improvements along East 14th Street in Cleveland Sponsor: City of Cleveland PID No.: 87358 Estimated Total Cost: $2,850,000 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: ARRA History/Background: On August 5, 2009, the City of Cleveland passed Ordinance No. 1159-09 “To amend Sections 1 … of Ordinance No 319-09, passed March 16, 2009, relating to applying to the NOACA for various infrastructure projects and to authorize other contracting authority to include the East 14th Streetscape to the project list…”; Section 1 of Ordinance No. 319-09, was amended to read as follows: “Section 1. That the Director of Public Service is authorized to apply to NOACA to pursue federal ARRA economic assistance, on behalf of the City of Cleveland, for…The East 14th Street Streetscape Improvement from Prospect Avenue to Euclid Avenue, in the approximate amount of $2,800,000.” As the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and City of Cleveland are in the process of modifying access to the Innerbelt through Cleveland, Playhouse Square Foundation (PSF) Management wants to strengthen the identity of the Playhouse Square Theater District through comprehensive streetscape improvements that will link the theaters, open spaces (Star Plaza), parking, restaurants and retail establishments in the District (location map). In conjunction with the ODOT and City plans for modified traffic circulation through Playhouse Square, PSF Management is targeting the redevelopment of East 14th Street as an opportunity to strengthen the District’s identity through streetscape improvements that will link the 14th Street and Hanna Theaters on East 14th Street, to the theaters on Euclid Avenue undergoing reconstruction near the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project. The City of Cleveland and PSF propose to improve access and circulation and introduce an integrated streetscape and building façade improvement package throughout the Playhouse Square District (which includes Hanna, 14th Street, State, Ohio, Allen and Palace Theatres). These proposed improvements will allow PSF to add public art and unique modern way-finding signage that identifies the Theater District. East 14th Street is the access corridor to Playhouse Square District to and from I-71, I-77and I-90. The East 14th Street project is an extension of the Star Plaza in front of US Bank Centre (formerly known as the Renaissance Building), the recently renovated Hanna Theatre, 14th Street Theatre and the recent Euclid Corridor Streetscape, GCRTA Health Bus Line and the planned Renaissance Garage Facade Treatment. Current Conditions: East 14th Street is functionally classified as an urban collector.The sponsor reports the average daily traffic is 13,150 vehicles per day with five percent trucks (2002 count). The speed limit is 25 miles per hour. East 14th Street has a pavement width of 60 feet, with two 11-foot wide lanes in each direction and an 8-foot wide parking lane on each side. The width of the existing right-of-way (RW) is 86 feet, and the width of the existing sidewalks is 13 feet. Proposed Project: The proposed project, based on the May 12, 2007 East 14th Street Playhouse Square Theater District Streetscape Design concept developed by SASAKI, involves roadway and streetscape improvements along East 14th Street, from Prospect Avenue to Euclid Avenue, in the City of Cleveland (location map). The preferred concept (location map) is to increase the existing sidewalk by 5½ feet on each side of the street (from 13 feet to 18½ feet), retain one 11-foot wide lane in each direction and an 11-foot wide turn lane in between for turning onto Euclid Avenue and Prospect Avenue (a loss of one existing 12’ lane). Also proposed is a 24-hour 8-foot wide parking lane on the west side of the street and an 8-foot wide drop-off/pick-up lane (in front of the theaters with flush curbs for pedestrians) on the east side of the street in front of the Hanna Theater and 14th Street Theater. Other proposed improvements to the streetscape will include: shade trees in raised planters similar to the approach for Euclid Avenue. That is, balance providing an ideal environment for trees (including raised planters and covered tree trenches) while creating wide sidewalks for pedestrians walking between the theaters, restaurants, and parking, along with café zones for outdoor seating; bands of brick unit pavers on the east side (the theater side) of the street that would match the brick unit pavers on Euclid Avenue; the west side of the street would use the brick unit pavers in Star Plaza to extend that open space into East 14th Street; LED (light emitting diode) light strips integrated into the pavement (i.e. colored bricks mosaic) to further reinforce the connection between the theaters, and because many of the events taking place are in the evening that will link the theaters by night; site furnishings, like benches, for patrons waiting to be picked up or to meet friends; and street tree planting, lighted bollards at the theater entrances and decorative lighting and lighted crosswalks; public art, enhanced signage and way finding signs intended to reinforce the City’s signage system and also provide additional way finding signage and district identity for Playhouse Square. The estimated total cost, provided by the sponsor, is $2,850,000. The estimated cost of preliminary engineering (PE) is $100,000. The PE will be paid by the sponsor. The estimated cost of construction is $2,750,000, which includes $250,000 for construction management. The construction phase will be partially financed with funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The amount of ARRA (i.e. Stimulus-ODOT Allocation) Enhancement funds programmed for the project is $2,000,000. Anything over $2,000,000 is the responsibility of the project sponsor. The construction management will be paid by the sponsor. Staff Comment (Summary): Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team: This project is consistent with NOACA’s Connections 2030 Goals #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System), #7 (Reinvestment in the Urban Core) and #10 (Quality of Life through attention to Aesthetics), and ODOT’s Access Ohio 2004 - 2030 Goals #1 (Transportation Safety), #2 (Economic Development and Quality of Life) and #4 (System Preservation). The project may be eligible, in whole or part, for NOACA Transportation Enhancement Activity (TE) funds. However, current NOACA policy states that “it is recommended that no one project should receive more than 12% of the available TE balance.” Depending on the TE eligible items and their associated costs, the TE funds alone would most likely be insufficient. The project may also be eligible for NOACA Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds. The sponsor should review the cost estimate at significant review stages of project design development. Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: East 14th Street carries a total of 162 average weekday buses from GCRTA routes 35, 76F, 77F, and Akron Metro routes X60 and X61. Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC): If you are a representative of a governmental entity and would like to comment on this project, please email us. "Both of these streets are proximate to the HealthLine Transit Zone and therefore vital to GCRTA’s bus network through Cleveland, Any modification of the existing bus circulation patterns and stops will have to be closely coordinated with RTA bus operations. GCRTA was involved in the early design and planning of both streetscape projects. GCRTA was satisfied with the location of the bus waiting areas and the circulation plans. It is important that all bus stops are equipped with concrete bus pads under them to support the weight of buses. Bus stop locations should be paved and accessible. Bus shelters require concrete pads beneath them. Any customized shelter needs to be coordinated with GCRTA and maintained by the community. GCRTA would like to review the final plans. Bus routes do change as do engineering plans and it is essential that RTA be kept in communication. More importantly, GCRTA absolutely must be kept involved in any lane closures and maintenance of traffic plans during construction. GCRTA supports the improvements on both of these streets as they beautify the public realm, add bus waiting environment amenities, enhance the pedestrian experience, and generate activity, increase the perception of security, and overall increase the market opportunity for transit ridership.” - Greater Cleveland Regional Transportation Agency Public Involvement: NOACA encourages comments from the public on this proposed transportation improvement project. Please notify us if you would like to be added to our e-mail notification list for future updates. Committee Review: Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC): No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC): Place “sharrows” in each direction indicating where bicyclists are to place themselves when traveling on this road. Asset Management Council: This project is consistent with Asset Management Council goals.