dhm

CSU administration want to get the money by privatizing parking. Students currently pay something like $250 per semester to park in university-owned garages. A significant portion of on-campus employment is parking employment--sometimes the only jobs international students (the lifeblood of CSU's tuition revenue) can get. So, that could have some sabotaging side-effects for the school. Lord knows what cost market-rate parking managed by ABM would be... and no incentive to really hire students. But they want someone like Standard or ABM to fork over $50 million. If students then had to pay $90 per month to park, so be it? That's like $400 per semester, which is a substantial increase. If you talk to students, parking spots and parking cost is a huge issue to folks, so there's that. There is the Department of Student Affairs and Student Life which have been talking about selling the parking garage to a private parking management company to get an infusion of cash to pay off debt service on past construction projects (parking garages, rec center, student center, euclid commons). In turn, they then would borrow money to get funds to demo Wolstein and build residential dorm-style housing, and whatever else. Wolstein is indeed a money pit -- something like $20 million annually to operate, and nowhere near revenue-generating. The redevelopment would be dorms, opposed to real estate development like the Langston on Chester Avenue where the university leased parking-lot land to a private developer, and they in turn rent to students. The going rate at that housing is , $800 - $ 1200 which is a lot for a student's budget. Dorm style housing is even less affordable, and you're forced to purchase a meal. Something like $1500 for each month each semester. And you can't stay there over break. The land would be leased likely through the Euclid Avenue Development Corporation, which is controlled by CSU administrators. The student life office has been surveying students on campus-housing a lot this past year, so this is probably going to be the culmination of that. Those survey results would be interesting to see. They should be available considering sunshine laws, and CSU is a state school. Records requests would probably get those.

Shout out to Cleveland from Berkeley's resident TOD researcher. Plus, good argument for why zoning codes need to be changed around a half-mile of a rail station re: parking. Bus line frequency map http://imgur.com/a/kgsk2 (drawn from memory so missing some routes--83, 25 etc-- and I know the 79 does NOT go down W. 41st, my mistake, and who knows what the 81 does in Tremont, the route is just the suggestion LOL) Zoning 1/2 mile around West Side rapid stations http://imgur.com/a/i6icm

Here's a pretty good working definition plus an interview with Robert Cervero... http://its.berkeley.edu/btl/2012/spring/tod

An interesting concept probably tied largely to frequency and reliability. Seen discussion about wanting to see route frequency mapped, so I made this. It's missing some routes (25, 83, etc.) but it's got the major ones on there. http://imgur.com/a/kgsk2

Roldo Bartimole's point of view on the Q overhaul...

From cleveland.com, posted at 6:17 pm: http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/12/cleveland_rta_red_line_back_in.html#incart_river_home

My street wasn't plowed and all the cars were snowed on this morning. Waited from 8:15 am for the 26 bus to come at W. 49 going west, none came until after 9 am. Got off the bus at W. 78 for work, probably could have walked faster (it's a 30 minute walk on a nice day) I was one of three people who were at the office before 10 am. I think the bus I was on was the one that later got caught up at W. 110 -- or soon thereafter Any clue if it was an EB or WB bus?

Bump. This meeting is tonight. It's more of a general meeting, but timely considering whether the FTA gives accordance to the closure of Superior remains an open question.

Transportation Planning Open Meeting The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are providing an opportunity for you to express your views on the transportation planning process in the Cleveland area in an open public meeting. Date: Wednesday, Dec. 14 Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Place: NOACA, 1299 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 This meeting is part of a review that will assess compliance with Federal regulations pertaining to the transportation planning process conducted by NOACA, the Ohio Department of Transportation, public transit operators, and local units of government in the Cleveland area. If you are unable to attend in person, comments will be accepted until December 30 to either: Mr. Noel Mehlo, Jr., FHWA, [email protected] 200 North High Street, Suite 328, Columbus, OH 43215 Ms. Krishina Welch, FTA, [email protected] 200 West Adams Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606 Persons with disabilities needing assistance are asked to contact NOACA in advance by calling (216) 241-2414 or emailing [email protected].

Transportation Planning Open Meeting The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are providing an opportunity for you to express your views on the transportation planning process in the Cleveland area in an open public meeting. Date: Wednesday, Dec. 14 Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Place: NOACA, 1299 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114 This meeting is part of a review that will assess compliance with Federal regulations pertaining to the transportation planning process conducted by NOACA, the Ohio Department of Transportation, public transit operators, and local units of government in the Cleveland area. If you are unable to attend in person, comments will be accepted until December 30 to either: Mr. Noel Mehlo, Jr., FHWA, [email protected] 200 North High Street, Suite 328, Columbus, OH 43215 Ms. Krishina Welch, FTA, [email protected] 200 West Adams Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606 Persons with disabilities needing assistance are asked to contact NOACA in advance by calling (216) 241-2414 or emailing [email protected].

Timeline 1st they move services to more satelite locations (2017) 2nd they build a new garage (2017) 3rd they demo the southpoint garage which is currently between the emergency room (critical care pavillion) and the skilled nursing facility on Scranton close to W. 25th/Pearl/Scranton split just south of I-71 (2018) 4th they build the new hospital on the site of the old South Point garage (2019 - 2022) 5th they open the new hospital (2022) 6th they demo the bulk of the old hospital between the emergency room and the parking garage on the northside of the campus, the valentine garage. This includes the iconic two tower portion of the hospital, and green space is to remain. (2022)

It looks like the side of Metro Health Medical Center that fronts on W. 25th will be left as is, at least from looking at the photo. What's pictured looks like their keeping the outpatient pavilions which front on 25th as is, keeping what's there currently--perhaps there will be aesthetic changes to these pavilions as part of the investment in campus transformation? Large portions of the Medical Center facilities east of Scranton (including the two towers) look like they will be demolished and rebuilt--this portion of the hospital houses the dental, cardiology department, labor & delivery department, TB clinic, and so-on, in addition to its in-paitient care. The critical care pavillion was already rebuilt and is located east of Scranton and is connected to these buildings--I believe this includes the emergency department and trauma care facilities. While the Medical Center is considered Metro's main campus, a Level 1 trauma center, and serves lots of out-patient appointments, out-patient referrals often send folks to satelite campuses throughout the city and county (think optometry, audiology, etc.): further down W. 25 at the Pearl Rd. you have Metro's Old Brooklyn location, the surgical center out on W. 150 near Puritas, the old Kaiser Health Center on Snow Rd. in Parma, the location in Brecksville... Some of these locations include ERs (Parma, Brecksville). Metro's resources have gradually been dispersed throughout the County -- as opposed to all being located more-or-less exclusively at the Main Medical Center.

After further investigation, I think there's a solid argument to be made that closing Superior violates the 2004 contract with the FTA. See Linked Map: https://postimg.org/image/gtoh00nz7/ The reason is that the language outlined in the contract insists on a Transit Zone which includes 24-hour exclusive bus lanes along Superior approximately one-mile long: that's the distance from West Third to E. 17th St. along Superior, the section of Superior outlined in the grant agreement about 0.95 miles in length. Therefore, removing a 600-foot section (the distance across Public Square, approximately one-tenth of a mile) reduces the total exclusive bus lanes along the section of Superior from West Third to E. 17th St. to 0.85 miles in length, which seems counter to the contract. Maybe there's wiggle room with the word "approximately" in there, but that evidently is for the FTA to decide, according to Mayor Jackson. Indeed, the portion of the contract which excludes the portion Superior Ave across Public Square on page 25 has to do with road rehabilitation work necessary for the Transit Zone. If you reference my map, there is 2.3 miles worth of road work outlined in the contract. However, you need both components. The creation of the Transit Zone, as described, hinges on the concurrent creation of approximately one-mile's worth of 24-hour exclusive bus lanes on Superior. Closing 10% of that length, arguably, defies the contract. Meaning, potentially, the closure of Superior across Public Square does not a Transit Zone make.

It's been 14 days since the press conference announcing the decision to close Superior Ave. across Public Square permanently to buses. Meaning, look out for the plan the City and RTA said they would submit to the FTA.

Did notice this floating around: Riders Unite-Press Conference/Rally Saturday, December 3 from 3 to 4 pm at Public Square, Northeast Quadrant by the steps Calling all transit riders and those sympathetic to their plight now that Public Square is closed permanently! Let your voices be heard at this event. Press Conference and testimonials to be given on public safety and hindrance to commuting to work issues caused by Public Square closures. Wear Red and ride RTA to Public Square. We also need a large showing at City Hall in Room 217 next Wednesday at 9 am. If you can help out by passing out flyers for the December 3 event at any RTA stop or station please give Chris Stocking a call at 440 376 8400

On page 22: "The Downtown Transit Zone BRT element is comprised of the rehabilitation of 2.3 miles of roadways between Public Square and Cleveland State University, including the creation of approximately one mile of 24-hour exclusive bus lanes on Superior Ave, and 0.7 miles of peak hour exclusive bus lanes on St. Clair Avenue." On page 25: Contract Unit 02 -- Transit Zone. C-01 -- "The Transit Zone north of Euclid consists of the rehabilitation of several streets totaling 2.3 miles in the downtown central business district. The following are location descriptions of the streets: St. Clair (W. Third to E. 13th Street); Superior Avenue (W. Third to W. Roadway and E. Roadway to E. 18th Street)..." Interesting that Superior Avenue between W. Roadway and E. Roadway is not part of the project description for the contract unit.

To piggy-back off KJP's post, above is an hourly breakdown of what we're talking in terms of bus traffic by closing Superior Ave. to RTA.

Below is a chart of how many buses WOULD cross Superior were RTA buses allowed to cross Public Square in accordance to the original plan. From 6 AM - 6 PM, one bus would cross Public Square every one-minute thirty-seconds, approximately. The busiest time for bus traffic in Public Square would be from 7 AM - 9 AM during the morning-rush. With inbound bus-traffic from the west side at this time, one bus crosses Public Square every one-minute ten-seconds. On weekday mornings, this is the time at which buses get logjammed going around Public Square--49 buses are added to the traffic circling the Square during each peak hour, which causes major delays. Indeed, traffic pattern may contribute to a marked increase in delayed buses, generally, and from experience those traveling outbound to the west side during the morning rush: two westbound, route-26 buses down Detroit (the 8:40 and 8:55) arriving together late at 8:58 AM. Column 1: Hour (weekday) Column 2: Total number of buses to cross square per hour Column 3: 1 bus crosses Public Square ever 'X' minutes Column 4 - 19: Number of buses per route to cross the square per hour (legend is below the table) 0:00-00:59 17 3.5 2 2 1 2 0 1 4 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 01:00-01:59 12 5.0 2 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 02:00-02:59 10 6.0 2 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 03:00-03:59 9 6.7 2 2 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 04:00-04:59 16 3.8 2 2 2 2 0 0 1 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 05:00-05:59 29 2.1 2 2 2 2 1 0 6 6 2 1 2 0 0 1 0 2 06:00-06:59 42 1.4 4 4 2 4 1 2 6 6 2 1 3 0 0 2 0 5 07:00-07:59 49 1.2 5 4 3 4 2 1 7 6 2 1 4 0 0 2 0 8 08:00-08:59 49 1.2 4 4 4 4 1 2 7 6 2 1 4 0 0 2 0 8 09:00-09:59 42 1.4 3 3 4 4 1 1 6 6 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 8 10:00-10:59 36 1.7 3 3 4 4 1 1 6 6 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 2 11:00-11:59 36 1.7 3 3 4 4 1 1 6 6 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 2 12:00-12:59 36 1.7 3 3 4 4 1 1 6 6 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 2 13:00-13:59 36 1.7 3 3 4 4 1 1 6 6 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 2 14:00-14:59 38 1.6 3 4 4 4 2 1 6 6 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 2 15:00-15:59 48 1.3 4 6 4 4 2 2 6 6 2 2 6 0 0 2 0 2 16:00-16:59 38 1.6 4 5 4 2 1 1 6 6 1 2 2 0 0 2 0 2 17:00-17:59 39 1.5 4 4 4 2 2 2 6 6 1 2 2 0 0 2 0 2 18:00-18:59 31 1.9 3 2 3 2 1 1 6 6 1 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 19:00-19:59 26 2.3 2 2 2 2 2 1 4 4 1 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 20:00-20:59 23 2.6 2 2 2 2 1 1 4 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 21:00-21:59 23 2.6 2 2 2 2 1 1 4 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 22:00-22:59 22 2.7 2 2 2 2 1 1 4 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 23:00-23:59 22 2.7 2 2 2 2 1 1 4 4 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 TOTAL 729 68 70 66 65 24 23 115 112 26 24 45 0 0 38 0 53 Column 4 - 19 (in order): 3 (WB) 3(EB) 26(WB) 26(EB) 38(WB) 38(EB) 51 ALL (NB) 51 ALL (SB) 45 (NB) 45 (SB) 79 ALL (NB) 79 ALL (SB) 81 (WB) 81 (EB) 55 ALL (WB) 55 ALL (EB) This chart includes only city bus-routes and not the Park & Ride buses which would cross Public Square, too. WB = Westbound , EB = Eastbound, NB = Northbound, SB = Southbound While I've posted this data before, I'd like to look at again considering the decision to permanently close the Square to bus traffic.

Attached are ODOT records as PDFs Four PDFS: 1.) 2015-08-06 Current Implementation Plan Graphics (3 sections) // [see Attached or See Link] Map of road including planned construction dates. https://www.pdf-archive.com/2016/11/28/2015-08-06-current-implementation-plan-graphics-3-sections/ 2.) CUYAHOGA Opportunity Corridor Status Update // [see Attached or See Link] Amount paid by ODOT to property owners take parcels in order to construct road, names of property owners, and status of property, whether ODOT has finished purchasing necessary property. https://www.pdf-archive.com/2016/11/28/cuyahoga-opportunity-corridor-status-update/ 3.) 2013-07-09-2012-09-10-impacted-parcels-map-and-table // [see Link] Maps of impacted buildings in right-of-way of proposed road construction... Maps start page 8 https://www.pdf-archive.com/2016/11/28/2013-07-09-2012-09-10-impacted-parcels-map-and-table/ 4.) rw-plans-20150317-final // [see Link] Engineering Plans https://www.pdf-archive.com/2016/11/28/rw-plans-20150317-final/

These maps show the zoning type within 1/2 mile radius of westside Red Line stations. There is maps for Airport & Brookpark, Puritas & West Park, Triskett & W. 117, West Blvd., and W. 65. Also included is a map to show job concentrations in the Greater Cleveland CSA, illustrating job sprawl endemic to the region. http://imgur.com/a/i6icm

Trying to figure out how to post a chain of images, but the forum is giving me an error message...

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/11/rta_red_line_down_due_to_elect.html#incart_2box Shuttle buses replacing the red line Saturday afternoon due to electrical problems. Anybody have any more info?

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/11/rta_chugs_along_on_rail_projec.html#incart_river_home Cross the Warrensville-Green station FTA compliance renovation off the capital improvement plan.

RTA's goal is to replace rail cars by 2025... cost is $280 million http://www.riderta.com/sites/default/files/pdf/presentations/2016-08-02CIP.pdf Revenue lost from rule-change related to collecting sales tax on Medicaid charges: $17 million per year... Which is predicted to affect RTA to make a 7% decrease in service next year. In 2008, when the economy tanked, RTA had to cut service by 12%... A major blow to the system. Sales tax receipts were down enormously and Cleveland unemployment peaked over 10%. Less jobs, less riders, less purchases being made. While over the ensuing years, ridership built back-up and service was incrementally expanded, this year the 3% service cut and the fare increase did well to set the system back at a time where ideally we'd be ramping up and expanding -- for a myriad of reasons familiar to regulars on this forum. In 2016, though people are working and the economy isn't as awful, do people use public transpration when they get that new job? When the service is infrequent (many routes now down to once an hour), more expensive ($2.50 for one-way, $5.50 for an all-day), and more unreliable (since Public Square was closed, incidents of buses being late has increased by over 40%); or do people instead do a mental cost-benefit analysis, take their money, and invest in a car? While buying a $5,000 used car in Cuyahoga County nets GCRTA $50, that's only half the cost of a monthly pass with no future fares to count on. I'm guessing there will be new infrastructure bills to update (MAP-21, ICETEA-LU) in the new congress, any thought on what to look out for.. Usually the local match is 20% on major capital purchases with the rest coming from the feds. So for rail car's that's like $60 million set aside. Can we discuss the macro-economic outlook for RTA and its backlog of capital needs at a time of major political transition in DC? Gridlock on issues like infrastructure might subside a bit (who knows), but what does that look like for transit agencies when Republicans have their hands at the levers and public transportation is looked at through a partisan lens? Slideshow for 2017 - 2021 Capital Improvement Plan image was clipped from: http://www.riderta.com/sites/default/files/pdf/presentations/2016-08-02CIP.pdf

No question that the severe drop in jobs in downtown severely impacted RTA ridership from the Heights and on the old No. 6 (now the HL) since the 1980s. The extremely light frequency on the Heights buses (32s, 7 and 9s) makes outbound transfers very time-consuming and impractical for many especially if the buses are delayed, which often seems the case for outbound 9 riders crowded around the bus stop @ E.119/Mayfield Rd., with most having transferred from Red Line trains at the new Little Italy-UC station. Inbound likely wouldn't be as bad with trains running about every 10 or 15 minutes into downtown from that station. I'm guessing a similar situation exists a half-mile down the tracks at the still-newish Cedar-University station. It still seems there could be more, better integration with bus and rail in the RTA system than there currently is which would remove more buses from downtown/Public Square, especially on the West Side. Even though we've had the heavy jobs and rider loss from the city, what's the point of rapid transit at all if your going to run competing buses past stations and into the center city? ... Tons of buses pass within 1 block of W. 25 and even more could be removed by extending LRT over Detroit-Superior as I've suggested... Yeah I know some people would gripe, but in the long run people would come around (especially the millenials filling up hotter urban areas who are much more amenable to transit) and RTA would save money, the City would likely increase TOD density at these nodes (it's already happening at W. 25/Ohio City and W. 25/Detroit -- and down the street at Hingetown -- with all the new development)... And maybe, someday, the City can break through this conservative Ohio morass we are currently in and receive greater subsidy from the state, increase the sales tax as you've suggested or even get some kind of public-private partnership to somehow offset some RTA costs... I'm just going to leave this here.... This isn't even the service map anymore as the lines are outdated from 2011 and don't show high frequency lines, but still. Job sprawl is a major problem for the Cleveland CSA.