November 9, 201212 yr What ever happened to the possibility that they would have to further widen Clifton for this project since it was a truck route or something ridiculous like that? they are widening it 1 foot - requiring all new curbs and aprons along the Cleveland portion.
November 9, 201212 yr Seems odd to pick on this project when there are many others similarly deserving, or undeserving, depending on your point of view. Whatever one thinks of me, one must admit that I'm consistent about which projects I pick on and why. In general I like to keep transit agencies out of the landscaping business. I'm wary of infrastructure investments for buses, a mode whose main advantage lies in its lack of special infrastructure requirements. If capital outlays are to take place, I favor rail over adding bus infrastructure. While I favor urban development over suburban, I oppose demonizing people based on where they live or how they view these issues. I do not believe anything is gained by impeding traffic. I do not believe in forced behavior modification through removal of options, instead I support creating or preserving as many options as possible.
November 9, 201212 yr Thanks. I know there was a reference above, but will the new curbs be granite or concrete (please say granite)?
November 9, 201212 yr This is exactly the kind of investment that this neighborhood of Cleveland needs. It's been long ignored as UC, DS, Tremont, Ohio City, and downtown have seen large revitalization projects. Clifton has sputtered along and is in drastic need of a spruce up. This makes the west end of Clifton's commercial district more marketable and should make this area a more pleasant place to live. Soon people will cross 117th into Cleveland and enter a noticeably nicer atmosphere. I'm hoping Clevelanders can be proud to have the nicer side of 117th soon.
November 9, 201212 yr Whatever one thinks of me, one must admit that I'm consistent about which projects I pick on and why. In general I like to keep transit agencies out of the landscaping business. I'm wary of infrastucture investments for buses, a mode whose main advantage lies in its lack of special infrastructure requirements. Unfortunately the old ways of funding street re-dos and crumbling curbs or even new tree plantings are no longer feasible or available, and municipalities no longer have any room for it in their budget (thus Lakewoods withdrawl from the additional features that would have required a contribution), therefore requiring the most creative of ways to fund projects that may not seem a typical fit, yet qualify. I would rather see the area capitalize on that as much as possible before that option also disappears.
November 9, 201212 yr Lakewood's decision had a lot to do with what people in Lakewood thought about the concept. It makes no sense to develop atmosphere via medians and bus stops when we're planning to tear down commercial buildings along the same stretch, and we're planning to replace those buildings with garbage or nothing. Fancy landscaping won't help that situation, but $10 million could.
November 9, 201212 yr " a mode whose main advantage lies in its lack of special infrastructure requirements." They are putting in large concrete pads near bus stops in the outer lanes to stop the asphalt from warping under the weight of the busses. "Lakewood's decision had a lot to do with what people in Lakewood thought about the concept." Doubtful. Had to do with money. The city did not want to fund their part of the project. " Fancy landscaping won't help that situation, but $10 million could." And by saying that it's like you are implying that this $9 million could have been reallocated somewhere else and we both know that is wrong and comes off as disingenuous to those of us that know better. That's not how these things work. RE Traffic lights. They will have the same cameras on them that are on the Lakewood lights. I believe those cameras are interactive in looking at side street traffic and are set to only change the light when there are cars detected on the N/S Streets.
November 9, 201212 yr Pretty sure there's other bussy stuff being purchased besides the concrete pads. As to what Lakewood chose and why, you're aware that there's tangible popular opposition to this. Some of it was described above. If that's irrelevant...OK. Regarding allocations, I discussed above how one tends to recieve the allocations one applies for more often than one receives the allocations one does not apply for. Are you suggesting this was Washington's idea in the first place? I'm pretty sure it wasn't. So no, we do not both know that's wrong and there's nothing disingenuous about it, or about me. I never said Allocation A could be used for Project B, I'm saying we requested the wrong allocation. Interesting point you make about the lights. Earlier I thought they were to be timed, but you're saying they're to be controlled by sensors. That's a big difference and, I think, a much better choice. Could we maybe use sensors on Euclid too, and forget about trying to time them?
November 11, 201212 yr Lakewood's decision had a lot to do with what people in Lakewood thought about the concept. Lakewood didn't have the money. Or don't you believe what people tell you? It makes no sense to develop atmosphere via medians and bus stops when we're planning to tear down commercial buildings along the same stretch, and we're planning to replace those buildings with garbage or nothing. Fancy landscaping won't help that situation, but $10 million could. OK, you had shaky thought processes on this issue but now you're going off the deep end. How does demolishing a building because it's structurally deficient have any relevance to the decision-making on whether to proceed with Enhance Clifton? If anything, recent experience on the west side with streetscapes says they help attract businesses. It helped in the Gordon Square area. It helped in Kamm's Corners too. And it will help here too. This project is moving forward. Move on. Debating the merits of this project now is pointless noise. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 11, 201212 yr Here is the presentation that was shown on Thursday: http://prezi.com/tw3_wngq5pa2/enhance_clifton_final-public-meeting_cleveland/
November 11, 201212 yr Lakewood's decision had a lot to do with what people in Lakewood thought about the concept. It makes no sense to develop atmosphere via medians and bus stops when we're planning to tear down commercial buildings along the same stretch, and we're planning to replace those buildings with garbage or nothing. Fancy landscaping won't help that situation, but $10 million could. I think this is being overly simple. The roadway needs reconstruction anyway. This already happened in Lakewood. So of the $8 million, yes there is some beautification. But like it or not a sizeable portion of the budget would be needed to redo the road. The bus pads, lane markings and waiting environs are the transit portion, and that is not the largest portion of the project cost.
November 11, 201212 yr Re-surfacing that road is a great plan. It's a mess. A lot of them are, and I would rather see our road funds concentrated on dealing with that. Every time we install more landscaping we make more work for landscapers ad infinitum. And they don't work for free. That reduces future maintenance monies, which leads to more bad roads. Overly simple? Perhaps.
November 11, 201212 yr Re-surfacing that road is a great plan. It's a mess. A lot of them are, and I would rather see our road funds concentrated on dealing with that. Every time we install more landscaping we make more work for landscapers ad infinitum. And they don't work for free. That reduces future maintenance monies, which leads to more bad roads. Overly simple? Perhaps. You're assuming they come from the same pots of money. And the evidence from Gordon Square as well as from Kamm's Corners means that streetscapes bring more business to an area, which bring more tax dollars and other revenues to their areas. For example the CDCs in Detroit-Shoreway and Kamm's Corners have agreed to form special improvement districts to fund increased security, cleaning, beautification and streetscape maintenance efforts. With the recent changeover in retail, demolitions, the Enhance Clifton project, etc., I suspect you may see Cudell Improvement Inc. seek a SID for the Clifton and Detroit districts. The area is looking pretty tired since a major housing beautification effort was undertaken circa 1990. It's what attracted me to this area in the mid-90s. I do agree that the Enhance Clifton project is not a cure-all, but it will inject new life into the area. Cudell Improvement and Lakewood could do much to leverage more spin-off activity from that investment. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 12, 201212 yr Reminder: The second Clifton Blvd. public meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Women's Club Pavilion in Lakewood Park. The same information will be presented. Planners wanted to have one public meeting in each of the two cities affected.
November 13, 201212 yr Pretty sure there's other bussy stuff being purchased besides the concrete pads. As to what Lakewood chose and why, you're aware that there's tangible popular opposition to this. Some of it was described above. If that's irrelevant...OK. Regarding allocations, I discussed above how one tends to recieve the allocations one applies for more often than one receives the allocations one does not apply for. Are you suggesting this was Washington's idea in the first place? I'm pretty sure it wasn't. So no, we do not both know that's wrong and there's nothing disingenuous about it, or about me. I never said Allocation A could be used for Project B, I'm saying we requested the wrong allocation. Interesting point you make about the lights. Earlier I thought they were to be timed, but you're saying they're to be controlled by sensors. That's a big difference and, I think, a much better choice. Could we maybe use sensors on Euclid too, and forget about trying to time them? the real time savings is the reapportionment of bus Stops, i.e. removing and relocate some bus stops.
November 16, 201212 yr FYI, the Web site for the Clifton Blvd. project is maintained by a project vendor. It has been updated to reflect news from the two recent public meetings. You may want to check it out. www.enhanceclifton.com
November 19, 201212 yr I just made a note of the project web site in my article for Sun news. In talking to city council people, CDC directors and business owners, I think this project is going to do wonders for Clifton -- especially on the Cleveland side. And not just because the median will be only at that side. The reason is that the two-block commercial district of Clifton, between West 115th and West 117th will get a pretty significant streetscape much like what was done at Gordon Square or at Kamm's Corners. And both of those spurred extensive private-sector investments in new shops, restaurants and other businesses. I am pretty sure this is why Carnegie Companies Inc. is moving forward more aggressively on its Clifton Shoppes project on the north side of Clifton at West 117th. And it's why several grocers are interested in being a part of it, although Heinen's is getting a lot of the attention now. I doubt GFS Marketplace's plans for West 117th are in response to Enhance Clifton, but when you take all of these things together, it does create a strong sense of positive momentum for the area. And, again, nearly all of this is happening on the Cleveland side. This area is going to look very different in 12-18 months from now. BTW, I just realized I'm crossing over subjects into the Lakewood-Cleveland West 117th thread. Probably best to discuss the business expansions there. Let this posting be the intro to that thread for those who haven't seen it yet.... http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,925.msg650504.html#msg650504 "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 20, 201212 yr I think this project is going to do wonders for Clifton -- I hope so. My buddy was frieking out via. text message today. He said that fortune teller from Detroit/W116 has moved into the old Truffles space. He has been upset about that building for awhile as have I. It's run down and that storefront has been vacant for some time. Maybe this will spur some upkeep on the houses along Clifton as well. One can hope. I am pretty sure this is why Carnegie Companies Inc. is moving forward more aggressively on its Clifton Shoppes project What is this project? I'm not following?
November 20, 201212 yr I am pretty sure this is why Carnegie Companies Inc. is moving forward more aggressively on its Clifton Shoppes project What is this project? I'm not following? Do a google search on "Clifton shoppes, Cleveland" and you will several items including this article: http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2011/11/retail_strip_being_proposed_on.html And this article: http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2012/11/clifton_retail_strip_demolitio.html Both were/are being discussed at: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,925.0.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 20, 201212 yr Thanks for the article links Ken. The Clifton Shoppes threw me off. No problem "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 20, 201212 yr I do not believe anything is gained by impeding traffic. Don't bike lanes impede traffic to an extent? And crosswalks? I don't mean to nitpick. Only point out that you're painting with a broad brush, or favoring auto transit over all other forms.
November 27, 201212 yr Cleveland portion of Clifton Boulevard project will include median Published: Friday, November 23, 2012, 2:37 PM Updated: Friday, November 23, 2012, 2:37 PM By Ken Prendergast, Sun News CLEVELAND It’s a tale of two cities in terms of the proposed features of a $9.5 million plan to rebuild Clifton Boulevard with more landscaping, transit, bike and pedestrian-friendly features. While Lakewood’s portion of the “Enhance Clifton” project will not have a median or other streetscape features added to the seven-lane-wide boulevard, Cleveland’s portion will. Despite the fact that more U-turns will be needed by some Clifton residents and businesses to reach their driveways and parking lots, most of those giving feedback at the Cleveland session liked the addition of the landscaped median. READ MORE AT: http://www.cleveland.com/sunpostherald/index.ssf/2012/11/cleveland_portion_of_clifton_b.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 27, 201212 yr So Westbrook is pushing for a sidewalk assessment. I have mixed feelings on that. Some stretches are a little rough but those pavers have been there for a very long time and they are not all torn up.
November 27, 201212 yr So Westbrook is pushing for a sidewalk assessment. I have mixed feelings on that. Some stretches are a little rough but those pavers have been there for a very long time and they are not all torn up. If they can be saved fine, but there are so many beyond repair or heaved up from tree roots that something has to be done. I like the old pavers as well, but it may be time to update.
December 18, 201212 yr Update on the Clifton Blvd. Enhancement Project. The project has now been approved by design review committees in both ciities, and work next summer is now cleared to proceed.
December 19, 201212 yr Update on the Clifton Blvd. Enhancement Project. The project has now been approved by design review committees in both ciities, and work next summer is now cleared to proceed. Great news. Hopefully we'll get more on the 117th/Clifton development here soon.
December 19, 201212 yr Here is what was presented to Cleveland Landmarks Commission last week....... http://planning.city.cleveland.oh.us/landmark/agenda/2012/12132012/index.php Cleveland Landmarks Commission AGENDA - December 13, 2012 ### "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 17, 201311 yr Update via GCRTA e-mailed newsletter...... RTA seeking bids on Clifton Boulevard project Contract could be awarded by the Board of Trustees in August The long-awaited Clifton Boulevard Transportation Enhancement project is in the home stretch. The project is now out for bid, and a contract could be awarded in August by the RTA Board of Trustees. If that happens, look for a ground-breaking date to be set in September, with work to wrap up in 2014. The project is a joint effort of RTA, and the cities of Cleveland and Lakewood. For more information: http://www.riderta.com/majorprojects/cliftonblvd "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 18, 201311 yr Wow. Lots of nuggets on that updated site. "West Shore Express" instead of the 55. They will be using an articulated bus on this route! I wonder if that means a decrease in frequency during rush hour, or just added capacity? Also, will these be brand new vehicles? Very exciting news.
July 18, 201311 yr ^It does mention brand new vehicles. New 60-foot articulated vehicles will travel in curb lanes that are exclusive during rush-hour only. 10-minute frequency during rush hours. New traffic signaling system gives buses a priority. Passengers will wait at 12 enhanced transit stops and 19 well-illuminated stations, with arrival/departure screens and video cameras.
July 18, 201311 yr . New traffic signaling system gives buses a priority. I've heard that line before. :|
July 19, 201311 yr They will be using an articulated bus on this route! I wonder if that means a decrease in frequency during rush hour, or just added capacity? Also, will these be brand new vehicles? That webpage noted 10-minute frequencies during rush hour. The current schedule has a mix of express and non-express buses running every 4-17 minutes during rush hours, including the buses that go via Edgewater/Gold Coast. http://www.riderta.com/sites/default/files/schedule-pdfs/55.pdf I'd use the 55 more often if it ran every 30 minutes off-peak, such as if every other bus originated/terminated at Winton Place or Lakewood Park. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 19, 201311 yr They will be using an articulated bus on this route! I wonder if that means a decrease in frequency during rush hour, or just added capacity? Also, will these be brand new vehicles? That webpage noted 10-minute frequencies during rush hour. The current schedule has a mix of express and non-express buses running every 4-17 minutes during rush hours, including the buses that go via Edgewater/Gold Coast. http://www.riderta.com/sites/default/files/schedule-pdfs/55.pdf I'd use the 55 more often if it ran every 30 minutes off-peak, such as if every other bus originated/terminated at Winton Place or Lakewood Park. Yeah, the hourly non peak 55 just doesn't cut it. They are often over crowded, however the articulated buses should help solve this in the future. I'd also like to see the return of weekend service. This is a significant investment to Clifton Blvd, so we should at least have service comparable to 2009 levels with all the infrastructure dollars being spent. I am bummed that this project is now projected to be completed more than a year later than originally promised. I can't help but wonder though if the timeline given is a little more "generous" to give wiggle room for unanticipated problems and delays.
July 19, 201311 yr Cant view the pictures too well, does enhance clifton inclue bike lanes? No it does not. I was on hand at the public meetings and the reason given was the lack of lane width since it is a federally mandated highway. A suggestion to make one side of the sidewalk on Clifton extra wide to include a bike lane was taken for consideration, but I'm not sure it ever went anywhere.
August 20, 201311 yr Lots of Board meeting action today... * Awarded a $8.6 million contract to the Perk Co. for the Clifton Blvd. project, Groundbreaking is Sept. 13. * Bought 23 low-floor 60-foot articulated vehicles from New Flyer of America for $16.3 million, to arrive by mid-2014. Most are for use on Clifton. * Approved 2014 Caplital Budget. * Released systemwkide ridership numbers, up 5.2 percent in June, 1.5 percent year-to-date. * Trolley ridership up 38 percent, thanks to National Senior Games. This points out the importance of the trolleys to major events. Glad to see nearly $25 million approved for this project ($8.6 million for infrstructure, $16.3 million for buses). For all items on the board agenda: http://www.riderta.com/news/aug-20-agenda-rta-board-meeting "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 20, 201311 yr i dont know whats more frightening- riding down clifton or lake. Best option is to use the neighborhood back roads by edgewater. Cant view the pictures too well, does enhance clifton inclue bike lanes?
August 20, 201311 yr BTW, what's the Cleveland "Alternate 1" noted below? 2013-79 – Authorizing Contract No. 2013-123 with Perk Company, Inc. for Project 51-Clifton Boulevard Transportation Enhancement Program, as specified and as required, in an amount not to exceed $8,648,387.58 for the base bid (RTA Development Fund, Engineering & Project Development Department budget) plus an amount not to exceed $343,026.30 for alternate 1 (contingent upon funding from the City of Cleveland) for a total contract amount not to exceed $8,991,413.88 EDIT: just found out it's for Cleveland's sidewalk repairs. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 21, 201311 yr Clifton Boulevard project a go: Groundbreaking in September http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/08/clifton_boulevard_project_a_go.html
August 21, 201311 yr Since I declined to write for Sun anymore, I am sharing this article I wrote..... WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2013 Enhance Clifton starts Sept 13, merchants fear traffic detours CLEVELAND – Now that contractors were chosen for $25 million worth of transit and pedestrian enhancements to Clifton Boulevard, a formal groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 13. But after the West Shoreway was closed for two weeks this past summer for the filming of Captain America, Clifton's merchants want to know how construction of Enhance Clifton will be carried out. Those answers will start to come into focus now that the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's board on Tuesday hired Perk Company Inc. for $8.65 million to construct infrastructure along 4 miles of Clifton from the west end of Lakewood east to Edgewater Park. READ MORE AT: http://neo-trans.blogspot.com/2013/08/enhance-clifton-starts-sept-13.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 13, 201311 yr Greater Cleve RTA @GCRTA 3m Clifton project will be Safer, faster, and more first-class" RTA CEO Joe Calabrese. Greater Cleve RTA @GCRTA 18m "This will become a state of the art transit corridor" Councilman Westbrook #clifton #brt Greater Cleve RTA @GCRTA 23m Mayor Summers "This is a great moment in Lakewood." #clifton #brt Greater Cleve RTA @GCRTA 30m FTA administrator, Peter Rogoff, speaking of the successes of BRT at the Clifton BRT groundbreaking. pic.twitter.com/APyzDf8BTX Greater Cleve RTA @GCRTA 3m Ground has officially been broken! #clifton #brt "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 13, 201311 yr Did any UO's attend? I had planned on it--but for some reason had 10 am stuck in my head. By the time I got there it had broken up. Just wondering if anything of substance was said, or was it just the usual back slapping politicos?
September 30, 201311 yr So if anyone wonder how commuters will take to having the outside lanes of Clifton be bus-only during rush hours, most assume that buses will be in those lanes anyway. Or in Cleveland, which is less aggressive than Lakewood in enforcing the ban on on-street parking during rush hours, commuters stay out of the outside lane as the errant parked car will trap them. BTW will GCRTA police have the authority to ticket and tow cars that park in the bus lanes during rush hours? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 30, 201311 yr So if anyone wonder how commuters will take to having the outside lanes of Clifton be bus-only during rush hours, most assume that buses will be in those lanes anyway. Or in Cleveland, which is less aggressive than Lakewood in enforcing the ban on on-street parking during rush hours, commuters stay out of the outside lane as the errant parked car will trap them. BTW will GCRTA police have the authority to ticket and tow cars that park in the bus lanes during rush hours? This was a point I made over and over in the public meetings when people would complain that a lane was being taken away. Relatively few use the curb lanes now anyway~!
September 30, 201311 yr ^ Transit Police will have the authority to ticket cars parked in the bus-only lanes during the specific hours, as noted on signs. As a (naive) former Lakewood resident, who had his car towed from Clifton Blvd. on his first day of living there (1980), I believe RTA vehicles will benefit from Lakewood having an alert and caring law enforcement agency.
September 30, 201311 yr I wonder what kind of revenue this would produce for RTA? "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
October 2, 201311 yr Yeah, the hourly non peak 55 just doesn't cut it. They are often over crowded, however the articulated buses should help solve this in the future. I'd also like to see the return of weekend service. This is a significant investment to Clifton Blvd, so we should at least have service comparable to 2009 levels with all the infrastructure dollars being spent. I am bummed that this project is now projected to be completed more than a year later than originally promised. I can't help but wonder though if the timeline given is a little more "generous" to give wiggle room for unanticipated problems and delays. Has anyone heard anything about returning to seven day a week service?
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