2013 May

31 May: Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Stewardship Center Opens in June

The Cleveland Metroparks’s Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek, staffed by natural resource and education professionals, land protection specialists, volunteers, and visiting scientists, is the first facility in Cleveland Metroparks dedicated to scientific research and promoting sustainable action. Its mission of enhancing and protecting our urban watersheds will be achieved through innovative community programming, encouraging regional participation in watershed issues, and promoting scientific discovery. Here some information on the opening celebration, June 21 – 22: Celebrate the solstice as we joyfully cross the bridge into the new Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek! The Watershed Stewardship Center is dedicated to promoting healthy urban watersheds through science, education, research and restoration. This Center was developed through a dedicated partnership between Cleveland Metroparks, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, and West Creek Conservancy to serve a diverse community through adult and youth science education programming and professional trainings and workshops. Come…

29 May: Chicago’s Congress Parkway now a brighter place

The Congress Parkway in Chicago is now a more colorful corridor.   About 600 LED color-changing lights comprise the new dramatic lighting scheme along Congress Parkway.  This just some of the upgrades that mark the completion of the $24 million roadway reconfiguration and improvement project along the half-mile stretch of the South Loop parkway.  Located on Congress Parkway between Michigan Avenue and Wells Street, the roadway improvement project provides a world-class gateway into the City of Chicago and improves the conditions for the 63,000 vehicles per day that need to pass safely and efficiently through this corridor. A decorative and programmable lighting system with more than 600 LED lights, including free-standing fixtures in the median and lineal fixtures attached to decorative metal trellises throughout the parkway and on the viaduct walls under One Financial Place.  For more information about the Congress Parkway Streetscape, visit the website by clicking here.

28 May: What Matters to Metros: Register for Community Forums!

The Fund for Our Economic Future’s What Matters to Metros™: Foundational Indicators for Economic Competitiveness helps community leaders identify factors that are associated with economic growth in mid-sized U.S. metropolitan areas in a post-recession economy. What Matters to Metros™ can serve civic leaders in metros throughout the United States, but the research bears specific implications for the four largest metropolitan areas in Northeast Ohio: Akron, Canton, Cleveland and Youngstown. This research provides data that civic leaders and the Fund can use to ask more strategic questions about how “growth” can be pursued, and to identify their own distinct approaches to get there. The Fund will be hosting community forums with partners in Northeast Ohio’s four metros in June 2013. You can RSVP by visiting the links below.  Canton June 5, 9:30a-11:30a at the Stark Community Foundation (400 Market Ave N, Canton, OH 44702) Partners:  Stark Community Foundation and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce…

22 May: Eastgate releases 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan

In April, the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments (a NEOSCC Board Member) released its 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The MTP is a long range planning document that brings together local governments to identify transportation needs and coordinate transportation projects and policies over the next two decades. Eastgate coordinates the development of the MTP with communities throughout the planning area, and with other local, state and federal agencies. The MTP keeps Mahoning and Trumbull Counties eligible to receive federal transportation funding to improve, maintain, and operate highways, public transit, bikeways, sidewalks, and related facilities. Transportation projects must be included in the MTP to be eligible to receive federal funding within the Eastgate planning area. .  You can access the entire plan here.

21 May: Ashtabula County’s Pairings Initiative

Located along Lake Erie and the Pennsylvania border in Northeastern Ohio, Ashtabula County is Ohio’s largest in terms of land area. However, it is not only the size of Ashtabula County that makes it unique among all Ohio counties. Its location and topography bestow upon it the most unique microclimate in the region. Situated where the Lake Erie escarpment is closest to the lake provides gradual warming temperatures in the spring and warm lake-effect air in the fall. This moderating microclimate and above-average to ideal soil conditions are perfect for growing grapes. Perched atop the remnants of glacial beaches and covered with vines planted over generations, the Lake Erie and Grand River Valley grape growing regions are the largest in Ohio. Ashtabula County alone produces 65% of all Ohio’s grapes.[1] Here lies the heart of Ohio wine country, where agriculture, economic development and tourism have come together through community collaboration…

17 May: Schedule released for Fair Housing Report Review and Presentations

2013 Northeast Ohio Fair Housing Draft Report Review and Presentations The Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium (NEOSCC ) is currently undertaking a study to evaluate fair housing throughout the 12 Counties of Northeast Ohio.  It is known as a Regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice. The public comment period for the report draft will include on-line, in-print and presentation options for your review.  Provide your knowledge, opinions, and feelings about fair housing choice. The purpose of the comment period is to allow the public an opportunity to review and comment on the draft findings and suggested recommendations.  COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL JULY 9, 2013.  Please note that these are proposed findings and recommendations and are subject to change.  All interested citizens are encouraged to attend any of the public meetings and/ or forward written comments to:  NEOSCC, 146 S. High Street, Suite 800, Akron, OH 44308 or…

16 May: AMATS’ 2012 Annual Report now available

The 2012 Annual Report from AMATS is now available.  The report details the agency’s accomplishments during the year that marked AMATS’ 50th Anniversary as a metropolitan planning organization. Readers can find out why agency leaders agreed that preservation of the Greater Akron area’s existing transportation system should be a priority over costly expansions. There are also summaries regarding the development of several items integral to the release of Transportation Outlook 2035, the area’s upcoming long-range regional transportation plan.  There’s also information about the agency’s ongoing efforts to promote regional connectivity and sustainability through its various cycling initiatives. To view the report, please click the graphic above.