RTA HealthLine Grand Opening Event

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) HealthLine grand opening celebration is happening this Saturday, Oct. 25, in downtown Cleveland. Zaremba Homes, a sponsor of the grand opening event, has three communities in proximity to the HealthLine: WoodHaven, The Avenue District and, in partnership with MRN Ltd., Uptown in University Circle.

Event highlights include a free concert by American Idol winner Jordin Sparks Saturday evening, a scavenger hunt in conjunction with the many tours and activities at stops along the Healthline, and free rides on the HealthLine and all Greater Cleveland RTA public transportation throughout the weekend.

The RTA HealthLine, formerly known as the Euclid Corridor project, spans 7.1 miles of Euclid Avenue from Public Square in downtown Cleveland to the Stokes Rapid Transit Station at Windermere in East Cleveland.

According to the HealthLine Website, the system connects the central business district at Public Square (the region's largest employment center) with the University Circle area (the second largest employment center) and major cultural, medical and educational districts. The main objectives of the project are improving transit service and supporting increased development along Euclid Avenue.

The $200 million project, that began in March 2006, incorporates environmentally friendly components including the use of hybrid technology in a unique 62-foot transportation vehicle, and the addition of 1,500 new trees along the line.

The HealthLine will officially open at 2:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at East Fourth Street and Euclid Avenue. For more event details, check out the Cleveland.com post, or visit www.RTAHealthLine.com for more information.

Work Continues on East 12th Streetscape

Work continues this fall on the East 12th Streetscape project in The Avenue District neighborhood. Designed by Paul Volpe of City Architecture, in collaboration with The City of Cleveland and Zaremba, Inc., East 12th Street is being redeveloped from Lakeside Avenue to Superior Avenue. It is expected to take approximately three years to complete.


This close up view of Streetscape construction, looking south down East 12th Street, includes The Avenue District garage entrance and side view of the 10-story Cleveland condo building.


This view is looking south down East 12th Street toward St. Clair Avenue, with The Avenue District building in the left of the photo.

This photo shows the view looking north down East 12th Street at St. Clair Avenue. The Avenue District building is on the right.

The East 12th Streetscape Project At a Glance

• The cost for infrastructure improvements is approximately $7 million, and the City of Cleveland is paying for the public components of the construction.
• Plans integrate public transportation, bicycle lanes and new on-street parking spaces.
  
• East 12th Street is being narrowed, creating essentially a pair of one-way streets, separated by a low, landscaped median.
• The new median will be designed to make street crossing easier for pedestrians.
  
• Amenities will include: benches, smaller-scaled light fixtures, public art, abundant landscaping, wider sidewalks and, “Outdoor living rooms” or special paving areas constructed out of alternating colors and textures, referred to as “area rugs.”