I want to know how Mayor Jackson insists RTA has to be responsible for any safety issues that he feels the redesigned Square now has if buses are allowed on a roadway designed for their use.  Last I checked crosswalks exist, traffic signals exist,  curbs exist, approved road demarkations exist.  These same arguments can be applied to surrounding streets of Public Square.  Let's try using the space as designed and see how people adjust.  Much of the activation of Public Square that is used on Superior Ave could be adjusted to the North and South sides of Superior Ave. i.e. Farmers Market set up, stage moved inside the grassed area instead of  the sidewalk. That s the responsibility of The Group Plan Commission not RTA. All can interact together and adjust as needed to our surroundings. 

I don't want to throw fuel on the fire and haven't even been to the redone square... but I think if this happened in Cincinnati, streetcar supporters would fight to have the busses use the square and be on the mayor pretty hard about this.

I don't want to throw fuel on the fire and haven't even been to the redone square... but I think if this happened in Cincinnati, streetcar supporters would fight to have the busses use the square and be on the mayor pretty hard about this.

 

The plan for downtown's revitalization has been almost entirely residential, and almost entirely upper-class within that.  High-end residential neighborhoods don't generally have transit hubs right in the middle, so obviously the only answer is to restructure both downtown and the entire transit system.

If Key Bank and Forest City's CEOs really were lobbying hard for the square to be closed, they better pony up and provide the funds for whatever retrofit is needed.

Some good info gleaned via records request from Mark Naymik

 

A series of letters between city and RTA officials show Calabrese wants buses to cut through the square. Jackson, citing among other things new safety concerns not previously discussed publicly, remains opposed to bisecting the square, a position he's held for years. The letters also show that the  Federal Transportation Administration (FTA), which has invested millions in the transit system around Public Square, remains squarely opposed to closing off the bus lane.

 

Key points include:

• FTA is opposed to closing Superior and says it violates the funding agreement
  
• The mayor and the city have a laundry list of objections (confused motorists might not understand that Superior is only for buses, impaired motorists could present a risk, there aren't any significant delays, the roadway looks too much like a unified square and kids in the splash park would be confused, it makes Public Square a potential target, too many events are held there, etc.)
  
• FTA considers August 1 the date at which RTA went into violation
  
• RTA proposed reopening on Oct 31
  
• The Mayor's office wanted to make reopening Public Square contingent upon RTA assuming any risk.
  

 

Full piece on cleveland.com including some of the correspondence: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/11/heres_what_rta_and_city_hall_r.html

 

(Edited for clarity.)

It looks like preempting signals elsewhere is a condition that made the RTA favor the closing - except that the preempted signals already on Euclid won't be reenabled. So expect the Healthline to continue to see slower timetables.

Some good info gleaned via records request from Mark Naymik

 

A series of letters between city and RTA officials show Calabrese wants buses to cut through the square. Jackson, citing among other things new safety concerns not previously discussed publicly, remains opposed to bisecting the square, a position he's held for years. The letters also show that the  Federal Transportation Administration (FTA), which has invested millions in the transit system around Public Square, remains squarely opposed to closing off the bus lane.

 

Key points include:

• FTA is opposed to closing Superior and says it violates the funding agreement
  
• The mayor and the city have a laundry list of objections (confused motorists might not understand that Superior is only for buses, impaired motorists could present a risk, there aren't any significant delays, the roadway looks too much like a unified square and kids in the splash park would be confused, it makes Public Square a potential target, too many events are held there, etc.)
  
• FTA considers August 1 the date at which RTA went into violation
  
• RTA proposed reopening on Oct 31
  
• The Mayor's office wanted to make reopening Public Square contingent upon RTA assuming any risk.
  

 

Full piece on cleveland.com including some of the correspondence: http://www.cleveland.com/naymik/index.ssf/2016/11/heres_what_rta_and_city_hall_r.html

 

(Edited for clarity.)

 

Wow, they have a laundry list of objections AFTER everything has been planned and built. What's the point of having these people run the city when they clearly weren't paying attention during the planning process. Just inept. I hope the FTA goes after the city.

Oh by the way, a friend of mine who is familiar with the situation said that the city probably broke the law by issuing an executive decree without legislative action preceded by public hearings. Federal funding was used and the project involves some significant environmental and social Equity issues. Those would automatically trigger a federal review and requisite public meetings/hearings.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQl1H6PTk_U&feature=youtu.be

 

Press Conference 11-15-16: Regarding Public Sq./RTA

 

It is interesting to see what was actually said that nobody stating Superior Ave will definitely be closed to transit without making sure the FTA will allow this plan.

I would assume one would first present the plan as a concrete option. No polling or study was done over than the Nelson Nygaard study prior to construction. I also find it fascinating that a design that said that the redesign was designed completely designed for pedestrian use yet all players designed the square with a road and yet nobody can say they limited the design.  The safety concerns of the transit use of Superior Ave were the fault of never opening the street as it was intended. I still would like to see how people would object to Public Square was it was designed.  The area is not really designed as an area to sit or relax.  Without use every day as either a Farmer's Market setup or Food Trucks it serves no other purpose other than a divide between two pedestrian areas.    I also have never understood why removable bollards were not part of the 50 million dollar price tag instead of the lackluster "road closed" barricades. If Superior was to be closed off for special events and weekends as initially planned One would think that safety aspect would have been thought of.

 

Btw  Here is a link to the NelsonNygaard findings and subsequent decisions that drove the outcome of the design. Their ultimate proposal was Superior open for transit weekdays and closed on weekends. This would cause the least amount of disruption. A united square impacts 26 routes with additional times along with higher maintenance for added turns for RTA's fleet of buses.

https://www.scribd.com/document/322467785/Cleveland-Public-Square-040312-Nelson-Nygaard

Cleveland Public Square's Ice Skating Rink Opens this Week

 

A week full of holiday activities begins on Monday with the opening of the Public Square ice skating rink.

By Rick Uldricks (Patch Staff) -      November 21, 2016 11:44 am ET

 

CLEVELAND, OH — This week could be considered the official kickoff of the holiday season in downtown Cleveland. The festivities begin with the opening of the Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink on Public Square at 10 a.m. Monday morning.

 

On hand for the opening of the skating rink will be Ice Skating Champion Caitlyn Nemastil and the Cleveland Indians Mascot, Slider. There will also be a live music performance during the opening.

 

http://patch.com/ohio/cleveland/cleveland-public-squares-ice-skating-rink-opens-week

Cleveland Public Square's Ice Skating Rink Opens this Week

 

A week full of holiday activities begins on Monday with the opening of the Public Square ice skating rink.

By Rick Uldricks (Patch Staff) -      November 21, 2016 11:44 am ET

 

CLEVELAND, OH — This week could be considered the official kickoff of the holiday season in downtown Cleveland. The festivities begin with the opening of the Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink on Public Square at 10 a.m. Monday morning.

 

On hand for the opening of the skating rink will be Ice Skating Champion Caitlyn Nemastil and the Cleveland Indians Mascot, Slider. There will also be a live music performance during the opening.

 

http://patch.com/ohio/cleveland/cleveland-public-squares-ice-skating-rink-opens-week

 

 

It looks like great fun. Does anyone know if it is the same footprint as the splash fountain or larger?  My only wish is they considered a better structure than the oddly placed white shipping container. I assume it is for rental skates and tickets. 

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/cleveland/photos-ice-rink-ready-at-public-square-1/354525682

 

 

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.

The ECTP agreement between @GCTA & @CityofCleveland says road replacement policy includes "minimizing the impact to transit operations" https://t.co/kLKF4fKtBA

But don't worry, we'll be safer from a terrorist attack...

 

We are folllowing breaking news of a woman hit by a bus just outside of public square, she's unconscious. A live report on @cleveland19news. https://t.co/V8WI7Fi5Pb

http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/12/07/pedestrian-struck-by-rta-bus-turning-left-around-public-square

Pedestrian Struck by RTA Bus Turning Left Around Public Square

Posted By Sam Allard on Wed, Dec 7, 2016 at 11:49 am

 

At roughly 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, an RTA bus struck a female pedestrian at the intersection of East Roadway and Rockwell Avenue.

 

An RTA spokesperson reported that the #39F bus was traveling northbound on East Roadway, and made a left-hand turn on Rockwell (right in front of Key Tower), and that the injured pedestrian was transported to Metro Hospital.

 

RTA said the accident is under active investigation. Cleveland 19 reports that the 69-year-old woman is in critical condition. The TV station characterized her injuries as "head injuries."

 

The collision comes during a heated ongoing debate about buses through Public Square. One argument for buses on Superior Avenue is the consequent reduction in dangerous left-hand turns on the perimeter. Due to re-routing around the Square, RTA buses will take more than 1.1 million more turns per year, about half of which are left turns.

 

 

 

The argument that Superior Ave closed to buses is safer to pedestrians using Public Square should now be a moot point. 

On a lighter note...

 

The catacombs below a Public Square landmark probably aren't haunted, but that doesn't mean they aren't creepy.

http://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/articles/hidden-cleveland-soldiers'-and-sailors'-monument

 

Per Ginger Christ on twitter: "@GCRTA alone is paying $60k for engineering firm helping to find efficiencies re: Public Square for FTA plan."

http://www.cleveland.com/architecture/index.ssf/2016/12/rebol_cafe_at_public_square_ge.html#comments

 

Rebol cafe at Public Square getting its trash problem under control (photos)

 

By Steven Litt, The Plain Dealer

Follow on Twitter

on December 08, 2016 at 8:05 AM, updated December 08, 2016 at 8:14 AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Rebol, the unexpectedly popular outdoor cafe on Public Square, appears to be getting its outdoor trash problem under control.

 

Since it opened last summer as part of the $50 million renovation of Public Square, the cafe, operated by restaurateur Bobby George, has been surprisingly successful. On good days, the cafe serves up to 1,000 customers, George said earlier this week in a phone interview.

 

And that caused a problem: Piles of trash resulting from the higher-than-expected volume of business at Rebol accumulated around green plastic garbage bins at the northwest corner of the cafe, facing the main entrance to Tower City Center.

 

Accumulations visible from September through November included empty buckets for cooking oil, large cardboard boxes, large plastic shipping trays and several overflowing garbage cans.

 

 

 

 

I always thought this would become a maintenance issue without any location for a hidden dumpster for Rebol's kitchen use.  Narchitects design is showing it's poor planning on function.  This placement of trash should not be the first thing  you see as the front entrance to the park from Tower City.  I am also amazed how filthy the pavement has become in such a short period of time from oil and grease tracked.

I always thought this would become a maintenance issue without any location for a hidden dumpster for Rebol's kitchen use.  Narchitects design that now is showing it's poor planning on function.  This placement of trash should not be the first thing  you see as the front entrance to the park from Tower City.  I am also amazed how filthy the pavement has become in such a short period of time from old and grease tracked. 

 

Totally agree. As much as I love the design of the Square the restaurant is like a misplaced afterthought.

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].

 

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.

Existential Dread ‏@twkovach  4h4 hours ago

It was nice to see the @CityofCleveland plow Superior Avenue thru Public Square from the window of the 79A as we went around the Square. pic.twitter.com/SqaLDGL9RP

^How ironic!

 

FTA wants its $12 million back

 

"The FTA details how it first warned the RTA on August 10th that the continued closure would constitute a breach. It then documents how it sent another letter on October 12th to restate that very point.

 

Yet on November 16th, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and RTA Manager Joe Calabrese announced in a joint press conference that the square would stay closed."

 

 

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/cleveland/feds-order-rta-to-pay-back-12m-in-30-days/380370221

http://doczz.net/doc/5695027/gcrta-demand-letter-final----12-20-16

 

 

This is the link to the letter sent to the GCRTA .    I am glad to see the FTA is standing behind it's agreement it entered with funding and all parties involved in the decision to disregard what was agreed upon should be ashamed.  Do we think Mayor Jackson and RTA will change their minds.  This does not look good for further FTA funding for Cleveland's future needs

FTA wants its $12 million back

 

"The FTA details how it first warned the RTA on August 10th that the continued closure would constitute a breach. It then documents how it sent another letter on October 12th to restate that very point.

 

Yet on November 16th, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and RTA Manager Joe Calabrese announced in a joint press conference that the square would stay closed."

 

 

 

http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/cleveland/feds-order-rta-to-pay-back-12m-in-30-days/380370221

 

What is wrong with these so called leaders?

Looks like a full blown disaster right now.  I've opposed Jackson and Calabrese for a long time but never imagined they could do this much damage.

Calabrese doesn't support the mayor's action, done at the behest of Public Square renovation sponsors KeyBank and Forest City Enterprises. Calabrese's hands are tied as four of RTA's board members are appointed by the mayor, and Calabrese serves at the pleasure of the board.

Perhaps Key Bank and Forest City will change their mind if THEY have to ante up the $12 million.   

Perhaps Key Bank and Forest City will change their mind if THEY have to ante up the $12 million. 

 

And honestly they should. This has done no damage to the City and harmed RTA throughout ($12 million bill, extra operating costs, $60K study, future grants).

 

I'm glad the FTA is staying tough. But I do find it odd that they came to visit...said there was no news and "work was being done behind the scenes," then this letter just kind of comes out.

This certainly opens the city to legal action from transit advocacy and other civic groups seeking to preserve the transit system and place blame where it belongs. And if it can be established that the city specifically acted on behalf of Public Square corporate sponsors to close the already-built transitway, then they may be liable as well.

This certainly opens the city to legal action from transit advocacy and other civic groups seeking to preserve the transit system and place blame where it belongs. And if it can be established that the city specifically acted on behalf of Public Square corporate sponsors to close the already-built transitway, then they may be liable as well.

 

And RTA has most definitely been harmed. The City clearly breached their own contract. But if the Board is going along with this there's no hope for them to file a lawsuit.

RTA wouldn't file a lawsuit. But others might.

Thats a heck of a $12 million football for the RTA board to be juggling.  Wouldn't it go against their stated mission to ignore the FTA and dig into their own pockets and send it back?

I understand about the grant agreement, but Washington should not dictate how cities operate outside of DC. For other cities, they would have looked away. Remember the same federal Dept--USDOT via the FAA fined the city $700k for a much more serious thing that could have killed hundreds---ice on the runways. They eventually settled for a $200k fine.  This currently letter is a demand to pay in 30 days--not even negotiable.  I guarantee you FTA would never send a letter like that---both tone and content--to the city of New York or other places.

That's because New York would never attempt such a thing.  Even the most conservative cities are building new rail lines these days, while Cleveland is alone in trying to move its transit system backwards.  That is insanity and it must be stopped.  Just like with Dimora & friends, we again need the feds to step in and address corruption that we refuse to deal with ourselves.  It's embarrassing.  Things need to change around here.

Looks like the mayor is refusing to budge.

 

Via FOX8: “We don’t want RTA to be fined. But I don’t want 20, 30, 40, 50 people to be run over by a  vehicle in Public Square. I’m not going to acquiesce or agree to something that does not protect the interest of the public. I’m not doing that. And RTA, hopefully, is on the same page,” Jackson said.

 

 

I understand about the grant agreement, but Washington should not dictate how cities operate outside of DC. For other cities, they would have looked away. Remember the same federal Dept--USDOT via the FAA fined the city $700k for a much more serious thing that could have killed hundreds---ice on the runways. They eventually settled for a $200k fine.  This currently letter is a demand to pay in 30 days--not even negotiable.  I guarantee you FTA would never send a letter like that---both tone and content--to the city of New York or other places.

 

I don't think the situations are quite the same. The fines at Hopkins were leviied because of safety violations. In this case it isn't a fine, FTA is saying we gave you this money with the stipulation on you doing this. Cleveland didn't, so they want it back. Federal Highway does the same thing.

A bill for $12 million? With a 30-day deadline? To a struggling city that can't possibly draw the funds in that short period? I could see Cleveland coming up with the money next week if the FTA were asking for something as important as a new modernized scoreboard, but not for this.

 

No way in hell the FTA would send crap like that to New York, LA, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc. What a middle finger to the city. I wonder if there are some politics involved or other factors.

http://fox8.com/2016/12/30/live-video-mayor-discusses-federal-letter-asking-for-public-square-funds-back/

 

CLEVELAND-- Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson held a news conference Friday afternoon following a letter from the Federal Transit Administration.

 

The FTA sent a letter to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority on Dec. 20, saying it owes $12 million.

2004, the FTA awarded RTA more than $142 million for the Euclid Corridor project. But by permanently closing Public Square to bus traffic, the city violated the terms of the grant.

 

Jackson said there are two main issues with shutting down Public Square to RTA buses: If there are financial or economic hardships, and whether there is potential for terrorists to use vehicles as a way to attack mass groups of people.

 

The mayor said times have changed since 2004, when the agreement was made, and there is an increased risk for terror attacks. He said leaving the square open seems, "very irresponsible."

 

"We don't want RTA to be fined. But I don't want 20, 30, 40, 50 people to be run over by a  vehicle in Public Square. I'm not going to acquiesce or agree to something that does not protect the interest of the public. I'm not doing that. And RTA, hopefully, is on the same page," Jackson said.

 

He also said RTA agreed the square should stay closed.

 

Jackson said the city has not been told what the breach is or how to address it. According to the FTA, the Cleveland transit authority has 30 days to repay the debt.

 

"FTA does not believe the city will change its position on the closure of Public Square and allow GCRTA to resume full operations as it is legally obligated to do under the FFGA," the letter said.

Looks like the mayor is refusing to budge.

 

Via FOX8: “We don’t want RTA to be fined. But I don’t want 20, 30, 40, 50 people to be run over by a  vehicle in Public Square. I’m not going to acquiesce or agree to something that does not protect the interest of the public. I’m not doing that. And RTA, hopefully, is on the same page,” Jackson said.

 

Superior was open to traffic for 200+ years.  That number is not made up.  Jackson's numbers are.

A bill for $12 million? With a 30-day deadline? To a struggling city that can't possibly draw the funds in that short period? I could see Cleveland coming up with the money next week if the FTA were asking for something as important as a new modernized scoreboard, but not for this.

 

No way in hell the FTA would send crap like that to New York, LA, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc. What a middle finger to the city. I wonder if there are some politics involved or other factors.

Seems like the easy solution is to open Superior. Use the Square as designed. While I appreciate Jackson's concern about terrorism, I just don't consider Cleveland as a likely target. Besides, there are a lot more people at other locations where the damage could be greater.

A bill for $12 million? With a 30-day deadline? To a struggling city that can't possibly draw the funds in that short period? I could see Cleveland coming up with the money next week if the FTA were asking for something as important as a new modernized scoreboard, but not for this.

 

No way in hell the FTA would send crap like that to New York, LA, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc. What a middle finger to the city. I wonder if there are some politics involved or other factors.

Seems like the easy solution is to open Superior. Use the Square as designed. While I appreciate Jackson's concern about terrorism, I just don't consider Cleveland as a likely target. Besides, there are a lot more people at other locations where the damage could be greater.

 

If Mayor Jackson is that concerned, then he needs to shut down all traffic on surrounding streets after a Cavs/Indians/Browns game.

Jackson is completely pulling those numbers out of his ass. It's disgraceful that he's doubling down and keeping Superior closed even after this fine was threatened. Such a waste of money.

When a transit agency in any city signs an agreement with a federal agency to accept a grant, they do so with the knowledge that the agreement contains certain strings attached. Among those terms included in any federal funding grant for capital improvements is that you use the federal government's investment for a period of years or decades (usually the expected life of the investment) as you have intended through federally required level of public involvement and environmental mitigation. If you don't, you are liable to refund some or all of the federal investment. Period. End of discussion.

 

The difference from other investors is the federal government can seize assets, take over your operation, levy fines and even imprison those involved. All of this is  spelled out in the Full Funding Grant Agreement. If you didn't know that this was in the contract, then shame on you and your legal team for not reading the terms.

 

I don't know for certain if the FTA or other federal agencies have come after larger cities for failing to execute the full terms of an FFGA. But I wouldn't be surprised if they have. I just don't follow them that closely. If they haven't it's because the larger cities don't sabotage their own transportation lifelines the way Cleveland and other backward cities do.

The closest comparison I can think of off the top of my head is when Daley shut down Meigs Field overnight due to bogus concerns of terrorism (sound familar) when in reality he wanted a big public park.

 

Chicago had to repay a million in development grants along with a $33 thousand dollars fine -- and now it has an outstanding peninsula called Northerly Island, a major draw for music acts and park enthusiasts.

 

Well worth it.

 

Apples and oranges aside, Cleveland has a $12 million fine for shutting down a street and Chicago a fraction of that for destroying an entire airport? Crazy.

What was the dollar amount for the FAA capital grants for capital equipment or facilities that were considered in their lifespan?

The closest comparison I can think of off the top of my head is when Daley shut down Meigs Field overnight due to bogus concerns of terrorism (sound familar) when in reality he wanted a big public park.

 

Chicago had to repay a million in development grants along with a $33 thousand dollars fine -- and now it has an outstanding peninsula called Northerly Island, a major draw for music acts and park enthusiasts.

 

Well worth it.

 

Apples and oranges aside, Cleveland has a $12 million fine for shutting down a street and Chicago a fraction of that for destroying an entire airport? Crazy.

 

It may depend on how much the feds invested.  And Chicago still had airports after that closure, so it arguably didn't hurt anybody, while Public Square's function as a transit hub is irreplaceable and people are already getting hurt.

It's all about how much the Feds have invested and how "life" that investment had left. If it was a new or rebuilt runway, it was a 20 or 30 year investment. If it was for a new radar, it was probably a 10-year investment at most and a much smaller initial dollar amount. In Cleveland, a new transitway is at least a 20 year investment. There is no moral relativism in an FAA or FTA grant agreement. If it isn't in the contract, then it's not a defensible violation. The city is going to cause RTA to lose this fight and we the transit riders will be hurt most by it.

^In stating: "The city is going to cause RTA to lose this fight and we the transit riders will be hurt most by it," do you mainly mean in the excess time it takes for riders' buses to rotate around the Square, or, in the potential loss to RTA in upcoming needed capital project FTA assists, mostly to rail?

 

 

Both, plus the ongoing costs RTA is incurring to its operations from the 30-60 added service-hours per day, plus the $60,000 study RTA is undertaking without any financial help from the city or Public Square's corporate sponsors who forced this whole mess in the first place.