Pepper Pike authorizes design study for Shaker Boulevard and South Woodland sidewalks; sewer grant discussed

Pepper Pike City Council voted Nov. 20 to authorize staff member Don to undertake an evaluation and preliminary design for sidewalks on Shaker Boulevard and the portion of South Woodland between Lander and Pine Tree. The authorization covers study and design activity; council members emphasized that final bidding and construction will return to council for approval.

During the discussion council members said the process should mirror how the city handled the Lander project: step one is side-of-street evaluation and recommendation, step two is detailed design, and step three would be a formal bidding and construction authorization. Don and others explained that some surveying and field work is required to inform a clear recommendation on which side of the street the sidewalk should be placed and the likely design costs.

Council also discussed sewer infrastructure relevant to the South Woodland segment. Don reported the city applied for and expects a Regional Sewer District grant of about $2 million to fund sewer work on the stretch of South Woodland between Lander and Brainer (the funding was described as not yet officially in front of council but anticipated in January). Council members asked how many homes remain to tie into the sewer on Shaker (staff estimated roughly a dozen remain) and how that would affect timing. Staff said, in the most aggressive schedule, design work could be completed in 2025 and construction could occur in mid-2026 if grants and approvals align.

Council approved the design authorization by roll call and directed engineering staff to return with a side-of-street recommendation, cost estimates and a plan for coordinating sewer work with resurfacing or other street projects. The council also requested a written report on project costs and a final accounting for the recently completed Lander and Gates Mills projects before proceeding further with additional sections.

Why it matters: the design authorization advances planning for pedestrian infrastructure in neighborhoods adjoining recently completed trails; coordination with sewer grant funding could change project scope and timing and will determine whether sidewalk construction can be synchronized with sewer work to limit disruptions and reduce costs.

Provenance: discussion and authorization appear throughout the meeting record (notably the council discussion beginning at the item introducing the Lander/trail updates and the authorization vote later in that sequence).