Shopping district forum scheduled

NORTH OLMSTEDThe second public meeting to discuss plans to renovate the Great Northern shopping district is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the North Olmsted Branch Library, 27403 Lorain Road.

Residents met in the springtime to learn more about the proposed Great Northern Multi Modal Transportation Plan.

Officials are looking to improve the efficiency of traffic flow, encourage the use of alternate transportation forms and enhance the appearance of city streetscapes, said Ward 3 Councilwoman Nicole Dailey Jones.

"Concerns garnered from the first public hearing have been hammered out and now we're back for a second meeting to present recommendations," Jones said.

Since that first meeting, officials have held several committee meetings, solicited input and collected traffic data, said Planning Director Kim Wenger.

"There is a bike path I'd like to connect into the Great Northern area," Jones said. "Right now, the path is a sort of after-thought and I'd like to bring it into the forefront."

Jones said she is also hoping the Wednesday meeting will attract residents from different parts of the city.

"The main concerns came from people living along Butternut Ridge," Jones said. "They wanted to make sure the historical district kept its integrity."

The city has received the first part of a grant from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, and, after a final proposal is created, will go into the next phase of funding, Jones said.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority has also proposed to put in new, modernized bus stops to enhance transportation.

"The city has plans to retain the historical nature of the nature and yet still do improvements," Jones said.

For more information, visit north-olmsted.com/planning/greathnortherntransportplan.cfm.