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 Amendment Title: Streetscape Improvements along Lorain Road in Fairview Park Sponsor: City of Fairview Park Estimated Total Cost: $812,920 Proposed Source of Federal Funds: NOACA History/Background: On April 13, 2006, the NOACA Governing Board passed Resolution No. 2006-012 approving SFY 2007 Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI) Program. The City of Fairview Park received $60,000 to do a comprehensive planning study of the western Lorain Road corridor, from West 223rd Street to the Fairview Park west corporation line, through the SFY 2007 TLCI program. The Western Lorain Corridor Improvement Study was completed in 2008. On June 2, 2009, the City of Fairview Park passed Ordinance No. 09-49, “…authorizing the mayor to submit an application to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) for funding to complete construction of Phase I of the western Lorain Road corridor streetscape from West 223 Street to the western boundary of Fairview Park at the North Olmsted line and declaring an emergency.” Current Conditions: Lorain Avenue is functionally classified as an urban principal arterial. The sponsor reports that the seven block area of Lorain Road from West 222nd Street to the North Olmsted boundary is primarily a mixed-use commercial district with apartment residential, retail business, institutional and office uses along the street and single family residential neighborhoods adjoining. Morton Park is also nearby about one block south at West 223rd Street. It is considered a part of the City’s main thoroughfare. Previous streetscape enhancements along Lorain Road stopped just inside this area at West 223rd Street and continued further east. These improvements include street trees, benches and gateway features. Although the street includes a continuous 10-feet wide sidewalk and GCRTA serves the street with its bus routes and a series of stops, the street is not particularly friendly to pedestrians. Crosswalks are not well defined and because of the four traffic lanes are lengthy to navigate. Parked cars are not well buffered from sidewalks and numerous driveways and curb cuts set up numerous potential conflicts with pedestrians. According to the sponsor, pedestrian amenities are few. Buildings are generally sound and but for a few notable exceptions, are well maintained. Many, however, are not particularly distinctive or attractive to shoppers. Because of their period of construction many buildings are utilitarian and free of ornamentation. There is little that calls attention to the store entrance, conveys the nature of the business or invites exploration. Pedestrians are a secondary consideration on most properties. Attempts to announce the business from the street through signage, color or other have mostly led to clutter and a less inviting environment. There are a few exceptions where because of the building style, attention to detail or arrangement of parking and drives businesses are easily read and inviting. Proposed Project: The proposed project involves streetscape improvements along Lorain Road, from the Fairview Park west corporation line to West 223rd Street, in Fairview Park (location map). These improvements involve: extending the tree plantings started further east on Lorain Road; including the brick panel associated with the tree and tree grates; including the benches placed at key points along the corridor; installing the landscaped islands (bump-outs) at the intersections and other key points along the corridor to better define parking and reduce crosswalk length at intersections; The estimated total cost provided by the sponsor is $812,920. The sponsor requests that eighty percent ($650,336) of the construction cost be funded with NOACA-administered funds. The City of Fairview Park will provide the non-federal share of construction ($162,584). The preliminary engineering and right-of-way costs will be borne 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 #2 (Economic Development and Quality of Life) and #4 (System Preservation). The sponsor should review the cost estimate at significant review stages of project design development. The proposed project is eligible for NOACA-attributable Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Transportation Enhancement Activity Surface Transportation Program (E/STP-M) funds. The appropriate funding source will be determined by the Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee. Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments. Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team: Lorain Avenue carries a total between 186 and 86 average weekday buses from GCRTA routes 22, 75X, 96F, and 822. 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. “Lorain Road in Fairview Park is a busy street that connects downtown Cleveland to the western edge of the county. It is a main arterial for bus traffic and therefore important to RTA. GCRTA was involved in the early development of the streetscape plan however, has not reviewed any project plans for a long while. 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 absolutely must be kept involved in any lane closures and maintenance of traffic plans during construction. GCRTA supports this streetscape project 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. GCRTA encourages the City of Fairview Park to submit their final plans for review by RTA.” - 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.