JMasek

I just received this press release. Shaker Square is now a WiFi Hotspot CLEVELAND — This historic shopping and restaurant district has now entered the 21st century with the introduction of a "Shaker Square WiFi Hotspot”. Web users can enjoy this new free wireless internet service anywhere in the outdoor space that is within the confines of the Square. The wireless access is available 24-hours a day. "This is an example of how the Shaker Square experience will be further enhanced for those coming to the Square," said Peter Rubin, President and CEO of The Coral Company, owner of Shaker Square. "We are committed to continue making Shaker Square a true night and day encounter.” Since 2004, Shaker Square has been owned and managed by local developer, The Coral Company. Coral is an unusual real estate company in that it has expertise in both commercial & residential development. The company excels best in complex redevelopment projects where mixed uses can be integrated together like an intricate puzzle to create viable, vibrant neighborhoods that last for generations to come. Direct questions to: [email protected]

In response to the two previous posts: * I have forwarded your comments to the staff conducting the review. Thanks for the input. * The proposed Red Line extension to Berea was killed by Berea residents and civic leaders, who said they did not want their city turned into a parking lot for RTA. The feds never want their money used in a city that does not want it. * I have already responded to Tim Ferris. Thanks.

mmm, no postings for four days...I guess silence is golden. RTA staff shared its 2008 Service Management Plan with the Board of Trustees yesterday during a Finance Committee meeting on the proposed 2008 budget. Some points you may find interesting: * Systemwide, average boarding per vehicle hour...bus 26...rail 66. * "Staff will continue to explore the feasibility of implementing "flexible routing" in low-density areas, to enhance customer service and route productivity. The concept might entail buses leaving at set times from a particular hub, such as a transit center. After leaving the hub, the actual path followed by the bus would vary, based on passenger requests." * Staff is also reviewing weekend service,to see if it meets customer demands. During a public hearing on the budget, General Manager Joe Calabrese noted, "We need help." Without more aid from the State, service cuts will continue. He is seeking help from various groups to help lobby for a dedicated funding source of state aid. Service cuts also mean that over time, RTA will need fewer vehicles, and the five-year Bus Improvement Plan has been reduced by $19 million. Depending on the weather, Euclid Avenue, from East 55th Street to East 86th Street, should open in January or February.

<<Is the proposed Mayfield station project still on the table? That would be fantastic. Little Italy would benefit a great deal by moving the E. 120th station to Mayfield.>> Yes, planning continues. It is too early to announce a definite timetable.

No, RTA has such a huge infrastructure investment in the rail and stations that it would be folly to even consider it. The stations were built with 80 percent federal funds, and if we closed them, the FTA would seek reimbursement of millions of dollars that we do not have. So, operationally and financially, it is not going to happen. Also, our research has found that there are "rail riders" and "bus riders" -- and each has a disdain for other modes of transit. Your assumption that shutting down the rail would force more people onto the bus is not 100 percent accurate. It would also drive some people away from transit completely.

11,000 people daily ride the #6...they must come from somewhere. We expect growth around the Corridor to result in more nearby residential, which will translate into even more riders. Look for BRT or something similar along Clifton Blvd. in a few years -- it is already being discussed.

(Wink) RTA strives to be a full-service transit agency...you're welcome.

I am not keeping track of the numbers, I am just reporting them. Please remember that this project has been discussed for many, many years, and it has been on the minds of developers and planners for just as long. Many projects were conceived and financed long before the backhoes appeared. The construction project has a definite beginning and end, but it is impossible to measure the time the project had, or is having, an impact on developers.

RTA Board committees meet at 9 a.m Tuesday, Dec. 4. The Finance Committee will hold a required public hearing on the proposed 2008 operating and capital budget. The Planning and Development Committee will hear a monthly update on the status of the Euclid Corridor Project, and discuss a non-drilling oil and gas lease agreement that a firm has proposed for the Woodhill Garage. The Board is expected to pass the budget at the Dec. 18 meeting.

The Project was designed to meet all ADA requirements, and we are proud of that. We worked closely with members of the disabled community to be sure that it meets their needs. There may be some tweaking as time goes on, but right now, "it is what it is."

Please visit a station or two, watch traffic and watch pedestrians, and I believe that you will immediately withdraw your idea as impractical and unworkable.

I will let JeTDog weigh in on that...my technical ability ends when I press the SEND button.

<<From what I've seen in the past with situations like this what normally will happen is the first time a passenger is struck and killed by a passing car and its all over the news, within the week GCRTA will be installing railing all along Euclid. Usually something tragic must happen for action to be taken.>> Action has been taken. If all laws are followed, things should go smoothly. Like I said earlier, if you break laws, you face consequences.

In my opinion, based on what I saw at East 36th Street, the railing pictured above might reduce but would not eliminate the problem.

Two informational meetings will be held to help customers understand the route consolidations and significant route changes that will go into effect on Dec. 16. The affected bus routes are: #4, #14, #15F, #20A, #22, #25B/W, #35, #38, #39X/BX, #49F, #55X, #77F, #86F, #326 and #823. The meetings will be from noon-1 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6, at the RTA Main Office, 1240 West Sixth Street. For more information, call 216-621-9500.

As I said, I do not know all the things that were considered. Euclid Avenue is also US Route 20, and cars and pedestrians must co-exist. I believe in personal responsibility. There is nothing that any agency can do to guarantee that all drivers and pedestrians will obey the laws. Make a good faith effort to inform them of the law, and then it is up to them to obey or face the consequences.

I will pass along your Baltimore comment.

<<Maybe beating a dead horse, but railings would have worked just fine.>> (Inserting my opinion here). Hindsight is often 20-20. But, how much should RTA pay for protecting people who are bent on breaking the law, no matter what? Railings might help people from accidentally falling into the street, but it would not stop the jaywalkers...they would just duck under the rail and be gone...or jump over it. It would have to be some kind of solid structure, or else a fence with holes so small a human could not get through. Then of course, there is the vandalism factor. In designing the project, many things were considered and then changed or discarded. I do not know if railings were ever considered. I have now spent six hours standing at a station watching human behavior, and I am not convinced that railings would be anything but an eyesore. However, your input and interest are appreciated.

They are stations, not shelters. You are correct. It won't matter much when all doors open and people can enter and exit.

Thanks for your comments. Operators have been trained to line up the front door with some colored bricks outside the covered station, for those entering the bus. The back door of the bus is then lined up with the opening to the station, and those leaving the bus can go through the station and down to the crosswalk. It will be the same with the new vehicles, which are 23 feet longer. They will also have a back door on the side of the station closest to the crosswalks. Monday and Tuesday, I worked a station for three rush hours, and saw my share of jaywalkers. I also saw an entire group of CSU students use the crosswalk when the bus had a green light. This held up traffic. The question is: do they care? If people do not care about their safety and the safety of others, they will walk when they want to, where they want to. Which is why RTA is forced into the unpopular ticket-writing scenario. Think about it. If you were told that the State Patrol was on strike, and you had to drive from Cleveland to Columbus in good weather, how fast would you go? 80mph? 90 mph? The only reason some people obey the speed limit is fear of tickets. So will it be for the Corridor. That's just reality. And even then, every time you are caught speeding, it probably represents 20-30 times when you were speeding and not caught. Stop signs, traffic signals and speed limits are all traffic-control devices to increase safety. So are crosswalk signs.

The Project Manager responds, "Good point, but POP requires installation, maintenance, and servicing of vending machines at all stops, including lightly used stops. This would be cost-prohibitive due to the large number of Blue & Green Line stops."

Akron's Metro system proposes a fare increase in March http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/11880261.html

What makes up that $2 billion number. Is it all construction that has occurred/is occurring because of the Silver Line or does it include some development that would have been done anyway (like the Art Museum expansion and the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center)? I believe it is all construction. All growth benefits the Corridor, and all growth will benefit from the Silver Line.

At this time, there is none that I know of. There are many local development corporations along the Corridor, and RTA is working with each one to coordinate planning. Many have altered their master plans to take full advantage of the Corridor timetable. A partial list: 1. Downtown Cleveland Alliance 2. Playhouse Square Foundation 3. Cleveland State University, which is part of the bigger St. Vincent Quadrangle 4. Midtown Cleveland 5. University Circle Inc. 6. The Cleveland Clinic 7. There are others...I do not have a full list at my desk

Joel Frelich, Project Manager for the fare collection upgrade, responds: "After you obtain a smart card, you can place on the smart card any of the various farecards or passes we are offering to the public at that time. Details will not be worked out for quite a long time yet."