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Council hears trails update; ODNR funds Gates Mills Boulevard extension and council authorizes design work for Shaker Boulevard
Summary
City staff reported a study recommending the Shaker Boulevard trail on the south side and a north-side placement for a South Woodland stretch; the city received an ODNR grant for the Gates Mills Boulevard extension (about $500,000) and authorized final design and bidding for Shaker Boulevard.
Council received an extended presentation from city staff on trail planning and grant progress, including formal notice that the Gates Mills Boulevard extension has been selected for ODNR funding.
Don Shei presented maps and obstruction tabulations used to compare north-versus-south placements for Shaker Boulevard and a portion of South Woodland. He reported comparative obstruction counts (example figures cited during the presentation showed a sample north-side score of 173 versus 133 on the south side for a studied segment) and recommended placing the Shaker Boulevard segment on the south side because it produced fewer conflicts and aligned with City Hall as a destination. For a defined stretch of South Woodland (Lander to Pine Tree), Shei said the northside placement serves many more parcels (roughly 180 parcels vs. 42) and would reduce mid-block crossings.
Shei also reported the city "just got noticed from ODNR that we're going to get that funded" for the Gates Mills Boulevard extension and discussed preliminary grant terms: the award is approximately $500,000 and the project is likely to be a 2026 construction project given paperwork and funding timelines. Council discussed when designs should be presented to council members and agreed to authorize staff to prepare final designs and bid documents for the Shaker Boulevard segment, with the condition that council will get the chance to review plans prior to issuing bids.
Key takeaways
- ODNR funding: Staff announced notice of approximately $500,000 in ODNR funding for the Gates Mills Boulevard extension; formal award paperwork and program requirements remain to be finalized. - Shaker Boulevard recommendation: Staff recommended locating the path on the south side for the studied segment due to lower obstruction counts and alignment with destination points. - South Woodland recommendation: For the stretch between Lander and Pine Tree, staff recommended the north side to serve approximately 180 parcels and reduce mid-block crossings. - Next steps: Staff to complete final design and bid documents for Shaker Boulevard, post design plans for council review, and then return to council to authorize bidding and contract award.
Reporting note: Project scores, parcel counts and the grant-notice amount were presented on the record by staff during the council meeting.
