Street Level

RTA on track for new East 34th Street rapid station, say officials
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is making progress on a new rapid station set for the site of the current station at 2830 E. 34th St. A community meeting to discuss the proposed improvements will take place tonight at 6 p.m. at Cuyahoga Community College's Metro Campus Student Center.
 
The preliminary design for the $7.5 million project was shown to RTA's board of trustees on March 1, while an updated station design proposal was completed earlier this month. The new station, which like its current iteration on East 34th Street, will serve all three rapid lines, and be upgraded with better lighting and ADA-compliant features.
 
Attendees of tonight's get-together will see the same design concept presented to board members, says Mike Schipper, RTA assistant general manager of engineering.

"Our next step is to get feedback from the public," says Schipper.
 
The plan's design phase will wrap by December, when RTA also expects to begin the construction bidding process. Work is scheduled to start next spring and will take a year to complete, officials say.  
 
Plans for the new station include relocating the main entrance to the intersection of East 34th Street and Broadway Avenue, a space which will also offer a covered waiting area for riders, says Schipper. New LED lighting and a disabled-accessible ramp are among the project's other highlights. 

Though close to Tri-C's metro campus, the East 34th Street station currently does not get much use, Schipper says. However, thanks in part to the advocacy of Campus District stakeholders, RTA agreed to design and build a new facility instead of closing it altogether. 
 
The district's community development group has committed to work with RTA after the new station is finished to promote increased ridership. Proximity to Tri-C as well as special rates for students could give those figures an additional boost.
 
"We hope as we rebuild the station Tri-C will engage surrounding businesses and the Campus District as a whole," says Schipper, adding that a built-out rapid facility can also compliment a community that's undergone heavy development in recent years.
 
"This is our investment in the area," says Schipper. "We look forward to growing with the neighborhood."
Cavs paint the town in wine and gold to fuel excitement for NBA playoffs
The Cavs once again made it to the NBA Playoffs and this morning the schedule was announced for the first round against the Detroit Pistons.

To celebrate the accomplishment and to rally the city, the Cavaliers today began decorating the Cleveland landmarks – starting with Quicken Loans Arena – with banners and signs with boasting “#ALLIN216,” referring to the motto “All In to 16,” the number of wins needed to win the championship.
 
A full window wrap is being installed on the north and west sides of the building, including the front window. Banners are being placed on each arena bridge one on the bridge that connects The Q to Gateway east garage and one on the north bridge that connects to JACK Casino Cleveland’s Collection Auto Group Centre parking lot. Additional banners on the east and west side of the arena are also being flown.
 
After the signage is in place at the Q banners will then be hoisted all over town, many local businesses are also hanging banners with the motto.
 
“There’s so much signage going up in the next week or so,” says Tracy Mare, Cavs chief marketing officer. “Definitely fans will see it throughout the city.”
 
Cavs team representatives urge other businesses and individuals alike to also show their support. Last year, Marek says many residents painted their front lawns or put up their own signs to show support for the Cavs.
 
“We encourage all of Cleveland to recognize this as one more moment to show just how great Cleveland is, and to showcase our community,” Marek says. “Our playoff run provides an opportunity to look at the city with a different lens.”
 
Even if you don’t have a ticket to the home games or when the Cavs are on the road, there are plenty of ways to get in on the excitement. Marek says they will host watch parties and pre-game entertainment outside the Q, complete with food trucks, beer, live music and the Cav entertainment team for several hours before the games.
 
“There are so many more ways for people to get involved,” she says. “Even if you don’t have a ticket to the game, come on down. It’s an outdoor fun fest. Downtown Cleveland’s a great place to be.”
 
For a full Cavs playoff schedule and a rundown of activities, visit the Cavs Fan Guide
High-energy cycling studio rides into Beachwood
Joe Purton had almost two decades in the nonprofit realm when he decided to accelerate into a career as the owner of CycleBar in Beachwood.

Purton, the former vice president of Sisters of Charity Health System, recently opened the high-energy cycling studio in a 3,400-square-foot space at 3355 Richmond Road. Early returns are positive, with CycleBar classes drawing big numbers for what the new entrepreneur calls an intoxicating fusion of mind, body and music.

"It's a kind of multisensory journey," Purton says of an indoor cycling experience that melds thumping electronic music with videos and colorful lighting. "If gives you a feeling like you're in a club."

CycleBar's tiered theater holds 55 custom bikes along with two 80-inch televisions. Rides focus on upper body work and drills of varying speed, while personal data monitors allow participants to go at their own pace or compete with other riders. Instructors, called "CycleStars," lead the classes, which number about 30 a week, a figure Purton expects to increase in the coming months.

Though classes can be rigorous, the up-tempo affair is not meant to be intimidating for newcomers, says Purton, 48.

"That's the beauty of cycling," he says. "You can control  how much resistance you have on the flywheel and make it as difficult or easy as you want."

The Beachwood CycleBar, part of a company with 200 studios nationwide, represents Northeast Ohio's first indoor cycling franchise. Purton opened his studio in mid-March, fulfilling an entrepreneurial spirit for fitness that had been gestating for years.

Purton had been working at Sisters of Charity since 1994, organizing budgeting mechanisms and cost report filings across the faith-based healthcare system. The University Heights resident is also a former cycling instructor who taught classes in the late 1990's. While nonprofit work was lucrative, Purton recognized an opportunity at CycleBar he couldn't pass up.

"CycleBar allowed me to combine my passion for cycling with my accounting and finance background as well as a desire to run a business," he says.

Purton is currently working more hours per week than he ever has; a small price to pay for delivering something far beyond a standard cardio-fitness workout. Within the next two years, the burgeoning business owner hopes to open a studio downtown and another on the West Side.

"Everything I've been putting into this I'm going to benefit from," says Purton. "That (hard work) is what makes it more fun and rewarding."
YWCA Greater Cleveland announces 2016 Women of Achievement awards
YWCA Greater Cleveland is celebrating its 40th anniversary of honoring women in Northeast Ohio through the Women of Achievement awards, in which eight local leaders will be named Women of Achievement and 46 others will be designated as Women of Professional Excellence.
 
The awards allow companies and groups throughout Northeast Ohio to recognize the contributions of exceptional women in their organizations. Women receiving it exemplify high professional standards and career and personal growth; make significant contributions to the effective, efficient operation of their organizations; display a willingness to support and mentor others; and make a positive impact on the community. Previously known as the Merit Award, more than 1,500 women have received this honor since 1977.
 
The 2016 "Women of Achievement Award" recipients include:
  • Micki Byrnes, president and general manager, WKYC
  • Lee Friedman, CEO, College Now Greater Cleveland
  • Kathryn “Kit” Jensen, COO, ideastream
  • Kym Sellers, founder, Kym Sellers Foundation; television and radio personality
  • Robyn Minter Smyers, partner-in-charge, Thompson Hine LLP – Cleveland Office
  • Maryrose Sylvester, president and CEO, Current Powered by GE
  • Nancy Tinsley, president of Parma Medical Center, University Hospitals
  • Sue Tyler, executive vice President and chief experience officer, Medical Mutual of Ohio
The 46 designated "Women of Professional Excellence" include representatives from a diverse array of local organizations such as Cuyahoga Community College, the Northeast Ohio Sewer District, Key Bank, American Greetings and Forest City.
 
The women will be recognized at the 40th YWCA Women of Achievement Luncheon and Women’s Leadership Conference on Monday, May 2 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, which will also feature a host of conference workshops. More information about the event and registration details are available online.
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress announces finalists for Vibrant City Awards
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) has announced 21 finalists for its 2016 Vibrant City Awards. Winners will be revealed on May 2 at the second annual Vibrant City Awards Lunch, hosted by CNP and presented by Key Bank and Community Blight Solutions.
 
“We are proud to convene community partners and stakeholders to celebrate city neighborhoods. These leading efforts in neighborhood revitalization are what help us all create a vibrant city,” says Joel Ratner, president and CEO of CNP. “The organizations and individuals being honored have displayed tremendous passion, dedication and collaboration. We’re excited to recognize them for their successful efforts in community development.”
 
CNP received more than 70 nominations for this year's awards.

Learn more about all 21 finalists and continue reading.