Streets and Sidewalks
Daryl Kingston: Chairman of Streets and Sidewalks Committee
Making Strides in Street and Sidewalk Infrastructure
Doubling Investment in Roads
Upon assuming the role of Chairman of the Streets and Sidewalks Committee in January of 2022, I was determined to take immediate action. One of my Council campaign promises was to significantly increase funding for our road program, and this commitment will continue to be a top priority should you elect me as your Mayor. Collaborating closely with the Committee and the Administration, we succeeded in doubling the budget allocated for our road program from $1.5 million in 2022 to $3 million in 2023.
Brecksville’s First Connectivity Plan
Under my chairmanship, we developed and unveiled Brecksville’s first-ever Connectivity Plan in the spring of 2022. The plan aims to enhance safety and mobility for all residents by introducing new sidewalks and trails, where feasible. Among the proposed projects were new sidewalks on Glenwood Trail, extensions from Emerald Woods to Riverview Road on State Route 82, and a multi-use trail across the Blossom Hill property, connecting Valley Parkway and Oakes Road. This document has been leveraged on numerous occasions to secure grant funding.
Sidewalk Repair Program
Another feature of the Connectivity Plan was the introduction of a sidewalk repair program for our existing sidewalk infrastructure. Starting in 2022, $50,000 was allocated annually for this initiative. In our inaugural year, we repaired 227 damaged slabs citywide, primarily those affected by tree roots. In 2023, we further extended this program by replacing damaged slabs in Bradford Village and adding several ADA-compliant curb ramps and crosswalks. My intention is to continue funding this essential program as we methodically improve the city’s walkability.
Grants Funding to Improve Community Connections While Maintaining Fiscal Responsibility
Connectivity improvements for which grant funding has been recently awarded include:
- A trail through Blossom Hill Park connecting Oakes Road to Valley Parkway ($250,000 Cuyahoga County Council grant for construction,
$23,636 Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant for tree plantings). - Sidewalks on Oakes Road along the Blossom Hill Park frontage, connecting to the new Blossom Hill path and the new sidewalks
on Glenwood Trail ($268,940 Ohio Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School grant). - Replacement of the Kids Quarters loop trail and improved connectivity between Kids Quarters and the Community Center
($250,000 Cuyahoga County Council grant). - The installation of audible pedestrian signals on Brecksville Road at 3 Downtown Brecksville intersections ($50,000 Cuyahoga
County Community Development Supplemental Grant).
Furthermore, during the summer of 2023, $1.1 million in federal Urban Paving funding was secured for the repaving of Brecksville Road from Miller Road to our southern corporate limit. As part of this project, the City will be funding the construction of sidewalks along this major thoroughfare to increase walkability in our corporate South End
This great work will continue should you elect me as your Mayor. Together, we will continue to prioritize common sense community
connections, and the City Administration will work to offset the costs of such connections with county, state, and federal grant funding. We will continue to work with integrity to ensure all contractual grant requirements are met and with diligence to ensure
we have the highest quality public infrastructure.
Upcoming
The City recently applied to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency for nearly $2 million to construct a multi-use pathway on Brecksville Road from Valley Parkway to Miller Road. This proposed connection will increase access to the Cleveland Metroparks Brecksville Reservation, our South End employment hub, our neighborhoods, and all amenities that will be part of Valor Acres.
Please stay tuned for notifications regarding this grant submission, we well as other requests for grant funding to be made in the near future.