NOACA Awards $1 Million in Neighborhood Planning Grants

On Friday, May 13, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) Governing Board awarded $1million in grants for neighborhood transportation planning projects in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties. The grants of up to $75,000 each are for planning projects that will eventually result in neighborhood construction projects. The projects must also improve the economy and the quality of life in neighborhoods throughout Northeast Ohio.

Twenty projects were selected from the 36 applications received. Recipients include the cities of Berea, Chardon, Cleveland, Euclid, North Royalton, Painesville, Parma, Shaker Heights, Sheffield Lake, South Euclid, Warrensville Heights, and Wickliffe, as well as the Village of Oakwood, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and Cuyahoga Engineer's Office.

“We know that communities lack funds for planning,” said Executive Director Howard R. Maier. “Many communities struggle just to fund construction projects, let alone finding funds to plan them. That’s why we created the Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative.”

Representatives from many of the recipient communities attended a press conference at NOACA on May 13 to express their appreciation for this innovative program.

“I jumped out of my seat when I learned about this opportunity,” said Mike Kosdrosky, Director of Development for North Royalton. “This program couldn’t have come at a better time for us.” Mr. Kosdrosky explained North Royalton is one of the fastest growing residential areas, and is facing traffic congestion in its central business district. The city will use its $75,000 planning grant to redevelop its main street district to encourage pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Brad Sellers, Community Liaison for Warrensville Heights, couldn’t agree more. “A grant opportunity like this is a life vest for communities,” he said. “With government funding being cut, it has been difficult. Now we can afford to plan for growth.” Mr. Sellers noted that the Chagrin Highlands area has been experiencing rapid growth, and Warrensville Heights will use its $52,000 grant to study traffic solutions for the residential, retail and commercial development on Richmond Road.

The City of Cleveland will receive more than $200,000 for five projects in the University Circle area, EcoVillage, Bellaire-Puritas, Northeast Shores, Slavic Village and Collinwood. Chris Ronayne, Chief of Staff for the City of Cleveland, said these planning funds will help advance the region. “It’s all about neighborhoods,” he said. “These grants are a huge catalyst to make these areas a viable place to live and work.”

“This is the first year we have offered this program, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Robert C. Klaiber, Jr., NOACA Board President and Cuyahoga County Engineer. “We are excited to offer this much-needed assistance to communities in Northeast Ohio, and we’re looking forward to the future when these planning projects come to life.”

Perhaps John Piskura, Mayor of Sheffield Lake, sums it up best when he said, “With all the change occurring in Northern Ohio, it’s good that we have forward thinkers to address that change.”

Contact Rob Frazier, Planning Engineer, for additional information or call (216) 241-2414, ext.281.