Opportunity Corridor In 2004, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) retained HNTB to conduct a study to improve access between Interstate 490, the neighborhoods, and University Circle. This study includes a refinement of Steps 1 through 4 and the completion of Steps 5 and 6 of ODOT’s Project Development Process (PDP). As such, it will include the formulation of a strategic plan, refinement of conceptual alternatives, development of feasible alternatives, and the recommendation of a preferred alternative. Over the past year, four conceptual alternatives have been developed within the study area. Step 4 is currently being completed and a more narrowed corridor of study is being recommended for further study in Steps 5 and 6. Steps 5 and 6 are anticipated to be complete in early 2007. The completion of Step 6 will result in the recommendation of the preferred alternative. However, at this time no funding has been identified to complete Steps 7 through 12.

Purpose and Need The purpose of the Opportunity Corridor project is to develop transportation solutions that address the need of improving access to University Circle, while also stimulating community and economic development. The University Circle area is the 2nd largest employer in the City of Cleveland, with Downtown Cleveland being the largest. This area is home to the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Botanical Gardens and many other cultural, medical and educational institutions. With over $1 billion in planned improvements and limited land available for development in the University Circle area, there is a need to improve access to this and the surrounding areas. Nearby neighborhoods and businesses have suffered decline over the past 60 years due to loss of manufacturing jobs, shifts in modes of transportation, and isolation from the Interstate System. As a result, areas such as the “Forgotten Triangle” have a large percentage of vacant properties and land banked parcels which will require investment for future development.

Study Area The study corridor runs generally parallel to the existing railroad transportation corridor containing Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s (GCRTA) Red Line and freight tracks owned and operated by Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX. The study area extends from I-77/I-490 in the west to E. 105th St and Carnegie in the east (see figure on reverse side). Local intersecting streets in the study area include: E. 55th St., Kinsman Road, Grand Avenue, E. 75th St., E. 79th St., Buckeye Avenue, E. 89th St., Woodland Avenue, E. 93rd St., Quincy Avenue, and E. 105th St. The study area includes the Community Development Corporations (CDCs) of Slavic Village, Burten Bell Carr, Buckeye Area, Fairfax, and University Circle Incorporated and is located entirely within the City of Cleveland, Ohio. These CDCs represent the Statistical Planning Areas (SPAs) of North Broadway, Central, Kinsman, Buckeye-Shaker, Fairfax, and University. The study area includes portions of the City of Cleveland Wards 4, 5, 6 and 12.

Schedule Below is a possible project schedule through construction. Funding will need to be identified in the next 12 months in order to keep this project moving forward. This schedule also contains a range of preliminary cost estimates for the proposed conceptual alternatives. The preliminary costs represent dollars in the year of expenditure. Innovative financing techniques are being discussed for this project because federal and state funds are already committed to other projects through the year 2015.

FULL IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

Cost (in millions) 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 FUNDED UNFUNDED

Steps 1-4 Identify, Develop and Select Corridor $1.1

Steps 5-6 Identify, Develop and Select Alignment $4.1

Verification of the Preferred Alternative $4.0

Plan Development $6.3

Alt. 2 $49 Right-of-Way Acquisition and Relocation

Alt. 4 $34-36 REQUIRED APPROVAL FHWA

Alt. 2 $282 Construction, Inspection and Contingency Alt. 4 $211-247

Estimated Total $261 - $347

Recommended Corridor for Further Study