November 08 CWC Forum (Public Meeting) with City Planning Director Brown
Ideally, part of real democracy is public officials addressing citizen forums and having to answer questions and maybe even have their proposals challenged. And that's exactly what Cleveland City Planning Commission director Bob Brown did at a CWC-sponsored forum November 12 at Trinity Cathedral downtown. He stated that the Towpath Trail had about 5 miles to go to Canal Basin after the 73 completed up to Steelyard Commons. He listed 9 trails feeding into the Towpath. The lakefront path had received some upgrading, but still needs a lot of work. Wendy Park has seen some improvement from the County, including the much needed repaved entry road.
At the time, a bridge designing process was about to begin over North Coast Harbor. And Great Lakes Science Center was ready to start building a connector from the Center to the Steamship Mather Museum (a process later delayed by discovering an unexpected old building foundation and gas line.)
Plans were underway for Port relocation, one of the biggest issues that was challenged by people in attendance. Ed Hauser, who was to pass away less than two days later (see accompanying story), again challenged that the Port even needed to expand, especially when he said ship cargo could be more effectively stored further inland. Others also questioned taking out the 55th Street Marina, even with the stipulation that it would be rebuilt further east, a promise that any lost access would be replaced one to one. Brown said the Port prefers 55th Street because of its access to I-90 and because continuing to use the West Shoreway impacts the surrounding neighborhoods and their access to the lake. The marina has been considered a site for a new Combined Disposal Facility (CDF) for river dredgings like Dike 14. The current facility is expected to be filled within 5 years.
Brown also mentioned the proposal that St. Ignatius High School build a row house at the old river channel for their student recreation, though a citizen brought up separating church and state when she questioned offering waterfront land to a religious institution. The issue of Cleveland adding facilities to handle ocean container ships was also challenged, with the suggestion that Toledo would be a better port for that with its proximity to Detroit and Chicago markets.
Long overdue maintenance of the river bulkheads was stressed. Meant for 50 years, they are closer to 70 years old, with half of them estimated to only last another dozen years.
The Coast Guard Station, another passion of Ed Hauser, was mentioned. Brown said plans were finally underway to develop new uses for the property, which has been close to collapsing altogether from recent years of neglect. At the time he noted some undergrowth had been cleared.
A couple speakers also addressed the forum. Jim White of the Cuyahoga River RAP spoke about Cuyahoga Habitat Underwater Baskets (CHUBS). Developed with the Cleveland Metroparks, they allow fish some shelter within the congested 5.3 miles of the Flats shipping channel. Also, Sarah Taylor spoke of her local organization Windustrious (http://windustrious.org/) They are proposing Cleveland take the lead in developing the first fresh water wind farm, harnessing the abundant lakefront winds to power windmills for alternative energy.
Frank Barnett
