| Project Update
Congresswoman Tubbs Jones Keeps Community Involved with Project
U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones has championed the Euclid Corridor Project by increasing its importance on a national level through introducing legislation and securing continuation funds. However, her greatest role yet is involving community leaders and businesses in the decision-making process and facilitating dialogue between RTA and her constituents.
Tubbs Jones' community involvement in on-going meetings with small business owners, churches and minority-owned firms has helped to ensure community leaders are included as the final design progresses. More importantly, she has assisted RTA with creating more community partners.
Involving business groups was a major initiative for Tubbs Jones. Since the Project will operate along 6.7 miles on Euclid Avenue from Public Square to East Cleveland it will impact many small businesses during construction and BRT operations. By late 2003 RTA will begin the real estate pre-acquisition phase. A year later the first series of the construction phase will start. Tubbs Jones believes small businesses need to be aware of the rapid changes that will occur along Euclid Avenue, as well as the planned East Side Transit Center near East 21st and Prospect.
Tubbs Jones explained the importance of the Project, "The Euclid Corridor Project will transform the way people use public transportation in Cleveland. It will provide a catalyst for continuing economic development, access to jobs, housing opportunities for residents throughout Cuyahoga County and beyond."
"The improved downtown bus distribution system of the Euclid Corridor Project will enable transit riders to get to their downtown destinations more efficiently than ever, and it will allow those who travel between the Central Business District and University Circle — our region's two largest employment centers — to move faster and more conveniently on public transportation."
Another initiative was to involve church leaders in the process. At the request of Tubbs Jones, RTA held focus group workshops for churches along Euclid Avenue and the Project area in early spring. Hosted by Dr. Blanton Harper, Pastor of Liberty Hill Baptist Church, church leaders were presented with design drawings that depicted landscape, streetscape and roadway configurations for their input. Among the 30 churches and governmental officials invited, 40 representatives were in attendance including staff from the City of Cleveland, City Council and the office of Tubbs Jones.
Congresswoman Tubbs Jones' ECTP Activities:
Congressional testimonies, securing annual funding allocation, meetings with citizens, small business owners, the Black Trades Council, and church pastors.
Contact information: Washington, DC — Tannaz Haddadi at 202-225-7032
Cleveland — Betty Pinkney or Michael Taylor at 216-522-4900
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