Stations on the Cleveland Regional Transit Authority's Red Line are hanging in the balance due to funding shortfalls on the $331 million "Opportunity Corridor" that would build a five-lane, 3.5-mile boulevard between University Circle and I-490.
"Bus and train stops on the $331 million Opportunity Corridor will be the links to existing neighborhoods, a way to make sure the [Opportunity Corridor] roadway does more than whisk commuters from Interstate 77 to University Circle," reports Alison Grant.
But the newly hired director of project development for the corridor, Marie Kittredge, said a top priority in her new job is "buttressing the case for hanging onto three threatened rapid stations along the route."
At-risk stations include the East 34th Street and East 79th Street stations. "It would cost $5 million to $8 million to make the improvements to the East 34th Street station, but perhaps three times as much -- $16 million to $18 million -- to modify the Red Line station."
The problem with those funding needs? "State and federal grants have steadily fallen and become more restrictive, while local sales tax revenues fluctuate with the economy. Annual ridership has been climbing from a recession-driven low in 2010. Yet RTA's 49.2 million passengers last year still amounted to a 15 percent drop from a demand peak of 57.9 million riders in 2008."
FULL STORY: Fate of Opportunity Corridor rapid transit stops in limbo
Editorial: Cleveland Made a Mess of Public Square Decision
Whether or not it was the right decision, the process leading to the decision to prohibit buses from Cleveland's renovated Public Square raises questions in Cleveland.
Chicago Transit Report Calls for Income-Based Fares, Paratransit Funding
An RTA report highlights a need for state funding to bridge an imminent $730 budget shortfall, calling for an approach that relies less heavily on fare revenue.
Cleveland Launches Bus System Redesign Process
An online survey has launched the process for redesigning the Regional Transit Authority's bus system in Cuyahoga County.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
Can We Please Give Communities the Design They Deserve?
Often an afterthought, graphic design impacts everything from how we navigate a city to how we feel about it. One designer argues: the people deserve better.
Engineers Gave America's Roads an Almost Failing Grade — Why Aren't We Fixing Them?
With over a trillion dollars spent on roads that are still falling apart, advocates propose a new “fix it first” framework.
The European Cities That Love E-Scooters — And Those That Don’t
Where they're working, where they're banned, and where they're just as annoying the tourists that use them.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Borough of Carlisle
Smith Gee Studio
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)