Page 47 - September2019_BarJournal

EXTRA FEATURE

Lakes Exposition, the 1930s shoreway. Any plan for a connector
which sprawled over will require federal funds, or risk a dangerous
135 acres of land over-reliance on local funds.
near Cleveland’s Once again, Cleveland is debating its
lakefront, with events future, reviewing options for the ever-elusive
featuring celebrities goal of connecting people, Public Square and
like swimmers Lake Erie. Both bridge plans target bringing
Johnny Weissmuller patrons down to lakefront attractions, seeking
and Eleanor Holm. to create more inviting, attractive routes
The event was a for visitors and the growing downtown
huge hit, attracting population. Overcoming barriers and uniting
seven million lakefront attractions with downtown has been
patrons, but also an elusive goal, for decades — which way to
illustrated the public go, Cleveland?
need for adequate
Cable Stay Bridge option depicted, both above. infrastructure, whether
(Source: Rosales +, architecture firm, Boston, MA) arriving by car, trolley Kevin Cronin is an attorney in private
or foot. To help people practice. While his solo practice fo-
Commission, Anthony “Tony” Coyne, move about easily, the City developed its first cuses a great deal on kids and fami-
expressed some concern that the cost could land bridge to negotiate the bluff and draw lies in Juvenile Court, he honed his
end up being a $200 million project, with people down to the lake. policy writing and analytical skills by
no confirmed sources for spending of that There is a potential “wild card,” consolidating previously worked for over a decade in Washington,
magnitude. Coyne also noted the land bridge area transportation infrastructure. Currently, DC as Committee Counsel and personal staff to
would partially obstruct views from the large, RTA loops trains through Terminal Tower at various House and Senate members. He has been
northern-facing windows in the ballroom area Public Square, Greyhound runs buses from a CMBA member since 2015. He can be reached
of the Convention Center, detracting from that the station near Playhouse Square, fledgling at (216) 377-0615 or kevin@kevincronin.us.
attractive vista. Mega Bus offers service from West 3rd Street,
The Lakefront Pedestrian Bridge, would while Amtrak runs trains through the lakefront
connect the northeast corner of Mall C with railroad line. What if these services could all be
the Rock Hall and the Great Lakes Science consolidated near the current Amtrak facility?
Center with a gracefully curving 14-foot The creation of an intermodal (intercity bus, Niki Z. Schwartz
wide bride. The 900-foot long bridge would Amtrak train service, and local RTA service) Mediator/Arbitrator
be supported by a 170-foot high “V shaped” transit hub in the area could create efficiencies,
tower and a series of cables. Continuous rails open up new funding streams and create
would run along the sides of the bridge to opportunities for redevelopment of the historic
offer safety, while a clear overhead shelter Chester Avenue bus station. The land bridge
would offer some protection from Cleveland’s would be a potential “green roof” for all of
lakefront weather. Total costs for the bridge these activities. This is the wild card for the
are estimated at $33 million. Initially development of any bridge, potentially helping
developed in 2014 by the noted Boston-based to secure federal transportation dollars to funds
architect Miguel Rosales, the bridge would be creative, comprehensive transportation solutions.
an attractive addition to the city profile. Late Regardless of the choice, planners and elected
last year, Freddy Collier, Cleveland’s planning officials will face a daunting task. Most bridge
director, announced that the city is “moving projects, even if blessed with breathtaking
away” from that option, seeking options that efficiency and no delays, have taken a decade or
might provide economic development and longer in Cleveland. Regardless of the decision, “If he can settle
income generating activities. it will be a challenge to build a pedestrian bridge a prison riot,
Cleveland has continuously struggled to find over a pedestrian-unfriendly quarter mile to the
safer, more attractive ways to navigate the 55-foot lakefront with a highway and active rail lines. he can settle
drop in elevation and the obstruction of railroad Northeast Ohio residents love their
lines, freeway lanes and parking lots to connect lakefront and desire a more connected anything!”
its downtown business and entertainment Cleveland. A visual route to the lakefront from
districts to the lakefront. The cable bridge creates Public Square is a more inviting one. Planners
an attractive crossing alternative to the unsafe have sought to create bridges and connectors 216-696-7100
and unsightly West Third and East Ninth streets. over the railroad tracks since the railroads first
If Cleveland adds a land bridge, it won’t appeared in the late 1850s. In the ensuing years, nzs.adr@gmail.com
be a first. In 1936-37, the city hosted a Great matters have only gotten more congested with

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