Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb announces proposed legislation for monies to replace concrete road barriers at Public Square

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com

Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb  on Friday announced proposed legislation to authorize the removal of long-term temporary concrete road barriers from Public Square in downtown Cleveland and replace them with modern and less intrusive removable bollards. 

The proposed project provides up to $1.5 million in funding from the capital budget for removal, repair and redesign work.

Installed some five years ago when Bibb's predecessor, former Mayor Frank Jackson, was in officer, the barriers  lie along the side of the road for separation purposes. including along Superior Avenue near Public Square. The new mayor says he is simply attempting to complete unfinished business left by the previous administration in an effort to better the city. 

“Public Square should be the people’s park but for too long, jersey barriers have got in the way. Today, my administration is taking the first step towards removing these barriers and restoring Public Square to its original intent – to serve as a meeting place in the heart of our city,” Mayor Bibb said in a statement.

While the mayor can propose legislation he cannot vote on it as only city council members, 17 of them in fact, have a vote.

The proposed legislation authorizes the removal of the jersey barriers and replacement with bollards that will ensure safety, enhance the City’s ability to open and close the square for public events and authorize the Group Plan Commission to enter into a contract to start the design and construction of the improvements.

“I applaud the mayor for taking quick and decisive action to remove the jersey barriers from Public Square. These unnecessary and intrusive barriers have go,” Ward 3 Councilman Kerry McCormack said. 

The preliminary estimated cost of the project to replace the concrete barriers and repair the Superior crossing is approximately $3.0 million. In addition to funds previously set aside by the City, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority will be considering an investment.  The Group Plan Commission will have an opportunity to evaluate cost effectiveness and pursue additional funding through private and philanthropic investments.

The Group Plan Commission held the original contract for the design, construction and reconstruction of Public Square in 2015 and will be authorized to commence a redesign, upon.It is the project team responsible for delivering the project on behalf of the City and consists of the original architects, engineers, contractors and project managers who understand the complexities of constructing permanent barriers, with knowledge of the significant underground existing infrastructure. Removal requires surgical precision to ensure utilities below the surface are not damaged.

”Group Plan Commission applauds Mayor Justin Bibb’s expedient introduction of legislation to improve the safety, security and aesthetics in Public Square by removing the jersey barriers in Superior Avenue and planters at the corner entryways into Public Square with an attractive, removable bollard system,” said Group Plan Commission Chairperson Tony Coyne. “

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog with some 5 million views on Google Plus alone.Tel: (216) 659-0473 and Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, and who trained for 17 years at the Call and Post Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.