Cleveland bus rapid transit project wins recognition from urban development group

Cleveland's public transit authority, the RTA, is part of a major redevelopment project in the form of the Euclid Corridor bus rapid transit line, which provides performance similar to light rail at a fraction of the cost.

The line connects Downtown Cleveland to University Circle, the home of many of Cleveland's top medical establishments, whose support has lead the service to be called the "HealthLine". The transit service, and the redevelopment of the public space that accompanied it, have just been honored. From Cleveland.com:

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- RTA's rapid-bus project along Euclid Avenue has won international recognition as a development role model.

The Urban Land Institute named the $200 million Euclid Corridor project Friday as one of 10 Awards of Excellence winners, in a competition covering North and South America. The Washington, D.C.-based institute, with 30,000 members worldwide, promotes responsible development of land in urban settings.

ULI said the Euclid Corridor project and its HealthLine rapid-bus system are a "successful example" of leveraging public transit as a development tool. The project involved a sidewalk-to-sidewalk makeover of Euclid, with sleek bus stops, trees, specialized light signals and customized buses rolling 8 miles between Public Square and East Cleveland.

The project, designed by Sasaki Associates, Inc. of Watertown, Mass., is one reason Euclid has seen several billions of dollars in new development in recent years, mostly near University Circle, officials say.

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From the RTA HealthLine website:

Once referred to as “Millionaire’s Row,” Euclid Avenue’s wealth was unmatched in the late 19th century and even topped the value of New York’s Fifth Avenue. Today, the Euclid Corridor is experiencing a comeback and returning as a focal point for economic growth. Helping to drive this surge of financial activity back into the region is the RTA HealthLine.

Over $4.3 billion has already been invested along the route (maybe we should start calling it Billionaire’s Row?) This includes the rehabilitation of old buildings into housing and retail centers, new construction for business startups, plus major expansions of universities, museums and hospitals. New enterprises like bioscience and tech firms now proudly call Euclid Avenue home and the corridor leads the state in job creation and research.

Ushering in a new era for Cleveland, the HealthLine is pumping new life into the economy of NE Ohio.