At its September 5 meeting, the North Royalton City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance that authorizes the city to apply for two grants that are funded through the Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI). The applications are being submitted to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA). If granted, would help fund the installation of two sidewalk projects.
The first application is in the amount of $229,585.62 for an Implementation Grant for the installation of sidewalks on State Road that would be installed from Wallings Road to Lisa Lane. If awarded, the City would agree to provide a cash match in the amount of $57,396.41, for a total project cost of $286,982.03. The second application is in the amount of $175,239.16 for an Implementation Grant for the installation of sidewalks on State Road, which would be installed from Akins Road to the Turnpike Bridge. If awarded, the City would provide a cash match in the amount of $43,809.79, for a total project cost of $219,048.95. If awarded, the grant would be paid to the city on a reimbursement basis.
The purpose of the TLCI is to improve the livability in the communities of Northeast Ohio through the support of NOACA’s Regional Strategic Plan and long-range transportation plan. This is done through their assistance to communities “to develop transportation planning studies that facilitate and promote sustainable development, multimodel transportation and complete green streets; and to provide funding assistance for communities to implement priority projects identified in TLCI or TLCI-like community developed plans,” according to the NOACA Planning and Programming Committee.
North Royalton initially received funding for a comprehensive sidewalk study as part of the Alternative Transportation Plan. The plan analyzed existing conditions and provided short and long term recommendations, including feasibility studies and implementation strategies. The plan encourages complete and green streets, and activities that promote sustainable development and several modes of transportation. These activities include development plans that are transit-oriented; land use and transportation plans for redevelopment; pedestrian and bicycle network plans; traffic calming plans for neighborhoods and economic development plans that are based upon the investment in transportation. Seventeen areas were recommended to have sidewalks installed, including stretches on State, Royalton and York Roads. According to the study, “while just over half of the town center has sidewalks, the remainder of the City lacks adequate sidewalk connections. . . To cultivate the town center and increase access to its destinations and amenities, it is important to focus on creating a sidewalk network that enables connections in and around the district. Based on the existing conditions analysis and public input from the survey and public meeting, a list of prioritized sidewalk connections was developed. The connections, taken as a whole, would greatly increase connectivity to and within the town center and between residential areas, and would enhance recreational opportunities in proximity to the Valley Parkway multi use path.”
According to Community Development Director, Tom Jordan, the City is expecting to hear if the grants will be awarded in late winter, 2024. If the grants are awarded, the design and bidding could take place that year, with the probability of construction taking place in 2025.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer