Final meetings for Circle-Heights Bike Network and Missing Link Studies are Nov. 29

On Nov. 29, a final pair of public meetings will be held in relation to the Circle-Heights Bike Network and Missing Links Studies. The goal of these studies is to improve the bicycle, pedestrian and transit connections between University Circle and Cleveland Heights.

In University Circle, the meeting will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Case Western Reserve University's Crawford Hall, 10900 Euclid Ave., in the Inamori Center on the lower level. In Cleveland Heights, the meeting will be held from 7–9 p.m. at Cleveland Heights City Hall, 40 Severance Circle, in Council Chambers.

The project consultants will present an analysis of public survey results. More than 700 people responded to the survey, answering questions about bicycle, pedestrian and transit options. They will also present a bicycle network plan that incorporates ideas from the survey results, outreach with major stakeholders and community members, and public meetings. The consultants will share transit-improvement options, as well. 

“Because these plans will provide our focus for improvements for years to come, we encourage broad participation from the community to ensure that we have the right recommendations in the plan," said Chris Bongorno, director of planning for University Circle Inc. "We believe that the plan contains the types of connections and enhancements that these communities desire, but we need to vet this publicly before moving forward.”

“These proposed sustainable transportation improvements will further differentiate Cleveland Heights and University Circle as places where travel by foot, bike and bus are welcomed and encouraged," said Richard Wong, director of planning and development for the City of Cleveland Heights. "Cleveland Heights residents would enjoy a Green Dividend, for example, if a couple owned one car versus two. From a University Circle institution’s perspective, building fewer parking spaces saves thousands per employee in parking facility costs and it allows precious land to be devoted to people’s needs instead of vehicles’ needs.”

Wong and Bongorno see potential changes to bicycle, pedestiran and transit infrastructure as an opportunity to move both communities forward.

“By creating safer, easier, more attractive options for people moving around this area," said Bongorno, "I believe we can make these communities more attractive places to live, work, and play. We can create healthier communities that are more friendly and accessible to more people, and we can encourage additional growth and development that can be sustained for decades into the future.”