By Kevin Cronin, ClevelandBikes board member

It looks like the City of Cleveland is preparing some significant investment in pedestrian and cycling transportation infrastructure as developer Nathan Zaremba proceeds with The Avenue District, a mixed-use (retail and housing) development project on East 12th Street. 

On September 2, you may have seen a Plain Dealer article about the Cleveland Planning Commission approval of the developer's plans, which would lead to the removal of trees in the wide median strip of E. 12th from Lakeside Avenue to Chester Avenue.

I wanted to elaborate, as the plans call for the city to invest $7 million in a more intimate street, with new 5 ft. bike lanes in both the north and south directions. The tree removal seems to be due to the plan to lower the median and widen the pedestrian and sidewalk areas, add trees in the expanded sidewalk area and add in the bike lanes.  

Car lanes would decrease from six to three (one in each direction, with a turn lane).  While trees would be removed from the central median (a 25 ft. space set off by raised 3 ft. concrete barriers), they will be added to the sidewalk areas. The park at Chester and East 12th St. would also get some work. City Architecture principal Paul Volpe also said bike racks would be placed throughout the project, but no details are available. 

I wonder and have concerns for the creation of angled parking, as I've noticed car drivers can be oblivious to bikes and back up abruptly, creating safety risks. There would need to be a lot of bike lane signs in the plan to educate and inform drivers. The plan was approved by the Planning Commission and City Arborist. 

It sounds like an exciting opportunity for cycling. As I hear more, or as public presentations are announced, I'll send around more information.