Disputes over Taylor Road construction continue

Almost a year after it was supposed to begin, the Taylor Road resurfacing project remains a contentious matter for some Taylor Road residents.

On Nov. 17, officials from Cleveland Heights and representatives from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) provided details about the Taylor Road project and answered questions from a crowd of about 50 residents at city hall.

Robert Downey, city manager for Cleveland Heights, discussed the history of the design plan, which began in 2002. The city initially envisioned grass medians, benches and specialized lighting on Taylor Road, but plans were altered when the project—at an estimated cost of $7 million—failed to gain financing. Because Taylor Road is not a city street, funding for its repair must come from both federal and state governments. The city has only $1.5 million annually to repair its roads, and so could not afford the desired features on its own.

Taylor Road, from Euclid Heights Boulevard to Bayreuth Road, will be repaved. Damaged curbs will be repaired and drains will be upgraded. The road will also be reduced from seven lanes to five between Euclid Heights Boulevard and Mayfield Road.

Although many issues arose at the meeting, the biggest concerns between city council and residents were money and safety, respectively.

During the meeting, many residents expressed disappointment that the space that will be removed from the lanes will be allocated to the east side, where Severance Town Center is located. Many residents maintained that the extra space should be set aside for bicycling and walking lanes. One resident claimed that the streets are unsafe for walking on in winter, and that there should be a designated pedestrian lane throughout the year.

Others expressed concerns about the lack of information provided at the meeting. A few claimed that they had not received any information on the current construction plan and were not even made aware of the meeting.

Earlier in November Douglas and Susan Whipple, longtime residents of Cleveland Heights, filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the project until city officials and ODOT comply with their legal obligations relating to the project. A court hearing to consider the Whipples’ complaint is set for Tues., Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court in the Justice Center, 1200 Ontario, in downtown Cleveland.

Despite the lawsuit, John Gibbon, law director for Cleveland Heights, believes the project will go ahead. He does "not believe the city was remiss in any way."