TEAM CONTACT
Niraj Naik
Director of Real Estate & Planning
nnaik@midtowncleveland.org
216-391-5080 ext. 109
PROJECT DOCUMENTS
Railway Trail & Penn Square Summary
PROVIDE FEEDBACK
PROJECT
TIMELINE
2024 - 2025
Community Engagement: 13 engagements across St. Clair, Hough, MidTown, Central and Slavic Village
2026 - 2027
Design & Planning: Design of Roadway and Bid for Construction
2027 - 2028
Construction: Construction begins on Outhwaite to North Marginal
Upcoming
Construction: Outhwaite south to Broadway is a future project planned for a 2028 - 2029 timeframe
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East 55th Street is one of MidTown’s most important north–south streets. It links jobs, homes, health care, and recreation and cuts right through the heart of our district. Today, it’s carrying heavy traffic with limited protection for people walking and biking. Our work aims to make East 55th safer and more welcoming while keeping it functional for everyone who depends on it.
Community Vision & Research
Over the last several years, MidTown and our partners have been listening to residents, workers, and businesses along East 55th. We’ve heard a consistent message: people want a corridor that feels safe to cross on foot, has better lighting and tree canopy, and still moves traffic reliably. That feedback aligns with crash data and on-the-ground observations—especially around Euclid & East 55th and Chester & East 55th—where long crossings and speeding are common issues.
Our vision for the MidTown segment is pragmatic and phased. Near-term, we’re leaning into quick-build safety upgrades and a painted, protected bike lane the city of Cleveland has committed to deliver via restriping. Over time, we’re working toward a coherent network that stitches East 55th into the broader set of neighborhood destinations. These changes will help to build out MidTown’s Linear Railway Trail which is anchored at the Lakefront with the Cleveland Metropark's Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Centerand ties to Opportunity Corridor and the Morgana Run extension.
Pictured : precedents for this type of work in other metropolitan citites. Courtesy of LAND Studio & Merrit Chase
OUR APPROACH
CITY REDESIGN & ENHANCEMENTS
The City, with support from Stantec and our CDC partners, has advanced a near-term restriping plan that adds a painted protected bike lane and refines lane allocation to calm speeds.
In the MidTown stretch, the goals are straightforward: shorten crossing distances, create a safe north-south bike path, and increase comfort for people outside of cars.
At Penn Square (Euclid & East 55th), MTC is piloting targeted placemaking elements that make the intersection read as a place—not just a throughput zone. Over the past year, we’ve activated the northwest corner of the lot with outdoor furniture, public events and community murals.
The East Side Railway Trail would link the Lakefront to the Opportunity Corridor and improve access to green space for many of Cleveland’s East Side neighborhoods.
Similar trails have been built in mid- size American cities, including Detroit, Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Miami.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
This work is grounded in ongoing engagement with corridor stakeholders: residents, small businesses, faith institutions, and commuters.
MidTown participates in a working group convened alongside Bike Cleveland and peer CDCs. We’ve already conducted walk audits, targeted pop-ups at busy corners, and feedback loops with employers and institutions to make sure designs respond to real, everyday use.
We’ll continue to share updates as projects move from design to installation. While there are no public calls-to-action live today, we expect future opportunities to weigh in on quick-build refinements and longer-term concepts.
Pictured : Bike Cleveland's Jason Kuhn (RIGHT) is a longtime collaborator who has helped steer midtown's bike infrastructure.
Community priorities
After conversations with community members, we've identified four main priorities:
- Speeding & driver behavior, especially at night. The restriping and painted protection aim to narrow perceived lanes and calm speeds.
- Long, uncomfortable crossings. Priority intersections include Euclid & East 55th and Chester & East 55th; quick-build treatments focus on shorter exposure for people walking/rolling and clearer turning movements.
- Missing low-stress bike protection and limited comfort outside of a car. The protected bike lane, hardened corners, and daylighting measures build a predictable, connected experience.
- Lighting & tree canopy. As funding allows, we’ll coordinate with utilities and partners to improve visibility and shade where feasible.
Pictured : CROSSINGS AT INTERSECTIONS, INCLUDING AT EUCLID & EAST 55TH, WERE AMONG THE KEY FOCUS POINTS IN CONVERSATIONS
AN EXCEPTIONAL GROUP OF
PROJECT PARTNERS
