Balanced transportation and urban reinvestment are focus of HBC meeting

The public is invited to hear an important address by Grace Gallucci, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), on NOACA and its regional planning efforts. Gallucci will speak following a brief annual meeting of the Heights Bicycle Coalition (HBC). This event will start at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, at The Open Office, 2843 Washington Blvd., Cleveland Heights. 

Because of its responsibilities for transportation and environmental planning, NOACA plays a vital role in the economic development of the Heights and Northeast Ohio in general. NOACA’s Ten Goals (http://www.noaca.org/connectgoals.html) include establishing a more balanced transportation system and fostering reinvestment in urban core areas. NOACA includes Cleveland Heights and all of its neighboring communities in the urban core.

The bicycle coalition notes that Heights communities and University Circle are current beneficiaries of numerous important NOACA grants. These include funding for the new transit station at University Circle, streetscape improvements for the Cedar-Fairmount and Cedar-Lee business districts, and planning for bicycle and transit enhancements between the Heights and University Circle.

Coffee and dessert will be served at The Open Office. Attendees are invited to adjourn across the street to La Cave du Vin, 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., for further discussion after Gallucci’s address.

HBC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that formed in the spring of 2010 with the goal of making the Heights more bicycle-friendly. Since its inception, the coalition has collaborated with numerous Heights cities and schools on bicycle-friendly initiatives.

NOACA is the federally designated metropolitan transportation and environmental planning organization for Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties. NOACA conducts metropolitan planning for vehicles, freight, transit, bicycles, pedestrians and more, while considering the transportation system’s impact on the environment and land use. NOACA's governing board determines how federal transportation dollars will be spent in the region.

The Open Office provides shared office and work space for freelancers, solo entrepreneurs, small businesses and the mobile workforce at large. It is located in the former Coventry Elementary School and includes meeting spaces (it was the perfect space for HBC's annual meeting). Automobile and bicycle parking is available.

La Cave du Vin was rated 25th in the world in “Best Beer Bars” on www.ratebeer.com.