07/21/2021 - A Joint Statement from the City of Cleveland and Haslam Sports Group

CLEVELAND - The City of Cleveland and Haslam Sports Group today issued the following statement following a decision from the Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) on the lakefront proposal:

'We appreciate the time ODOT has taken to review the City's TRAC application for the lakefront vision. We have had productive conversations with ODOT and understand their funding recommendation today based on the preliminary stage of this project. ODOT has made it clear that they are supportive of the Mayor's vision and the feasibility work proposed as next steps for this endeavor that would help drive economic development for our city and the region. We continue to receive strong community support for the vision and will work with ODOT on potential alternative funding sources to match the City's commitment to explore how best to properly and safely connect pedestrians and cyclists to our region's greatest natural resource, Lake Erie.'

'The awarded $2.5 million from ODOT coupled with the city's matching funds will provide a significant $5 million to advance the planning and engineering work needed for the land bridge project. Now that funds have been committed, a scope for this initial phase of work will be finalized, after which the procurement and project agreement process will commence in conjunction with ODOT. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with ODOT and other stakeholders to move this important project forward.'

About the City of Cleveland

The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life for its residents by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing diversity and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, play, and do business. For more information on the City of Cleveland, visit www.clevelandohio.gov, or follow @CityofCleveland on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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