July 22: Community Development Meeting, Cuyahoga County Council
Covered by Documenters Ashley Lubecky (notes) and Marvetta Rutherford (live-tweets)
‘More resilient paving’ could come to MetroHealth park space
MetroHealth officials asked Cuyahoga County Council members for an additional $500,000 for renovation projects, including $150,000 from District 10’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund for park improvements on W. 25th Street.
“We want to explore the opportunity to use these spaces more – not just for visitor or staff use – but as well as community use.”
Jim Bicak, MetroHealth
“We want to explore the opportunity to use these spaces more – not just for visitor or staff use – but as well as community use,” said Jim Bicak, who oversees MetroHealth’s facilities, construction and campus transformation. MetroHealth plans to focus its efforts first on the W. 25th Street side of the park where it’s still relatively open, he said.
MetroHealth wants to create a buffer between the path and the street to create a better environment for people to gather, according to Bicak.
County Council Vice President Cheryl Stephens said she recently visited Chicago and wondered about their use of a “concrete material” that bounced back when you stepped on it.
“For those of us with older, more mature feet, it felt really good,” said Stephens, who represents District 10.
Bicak said MetroHealth is looking into “more resilient paving” because it’s easier on joints and encourages walking. MetroHealth also plans to add seating and more shaded areas, he said.
The legislation is set for its second of three required readings by full council at the body’s July 30 meeting.
Upgrades to MetroHealth’s youth behavioral health facility
The second project includes renovations to MetroHealth’s emergency department, specifically upgrades to its behavioral health facility. Officials requested $350,000 of ARPA money to renovate three rooms for youth patients who often have different needs than adults.
Council Member Dale Miller said he thought the project is “something that the community really needs,” but questioned why council should give MetroHealth the money. County Council already provides $35 million every year, said Miller, who represents District 2.
“I decided I wanted to see these young people taken care of sooner rather than later.”
County Council Vice President Cheryl Stephens
“I decided I wanted to see these young people taken care of sooner rather than later,” said Stephens, who sponsored the resolution. Stephens said she visited the hospital and spoke with staff who said it was a “major concern.”
“I put my money where my mouth was because I wanted to see it begin before I left office,” said Stephens. Stephens term expires this year.
The Community Development Committee also approved this legislation, teeing it up for a second reading on July 30.
Cuyahoga County Council goes on break in August and meetings are expected to return in September.
Read the notes from Documenter Ashley Lubecky:
Read the live-tweet thread from Documenter Marvetta Rutherford:
