The City of Shaker Heights is partnering with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and Van Aken District owners, RMS, to enhance the Warrensville Van Aken Transit Station, creating a high-quality waiting environment with adequate shelter and facilities, attractive and functional pedestrian and bicycle amenities, a plaza, public art, and a strong connection to the adjacent commercial district and neighborhoods. Design and engineering are now underway, with construction scheduled 2024-2025.
In partnership with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and Van Aken District owners, RMS, the City is now engineering a project that will enhance the Warrensville Van Aken Transit Station and provide improved amenities for transit riders, pedestrians and bicyclists..
Background
The Warrensville Van Aken Station begins the RTA Blue Line Light Rail and is located between Shaker Plaza and the Van Aken District. This station and its adjacent busway is a busy hub with some shelters, but no comfort station and few pedestrian/bicycle amenities. In 2020, the City undertook the Van Aken District Public Realm Plan, which laid the groundwork for the current design and engineering.
Planned Investments
RTA will undertake projects to build a new train platform, comfort station, and shelters and to relocate the electric utility’s substation equipment. In 2024, the City of Shaker Heights will receive $1.5 million in Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) to fund streetscape and plaza improvements in and around the station. The City, with guidance from the Public Art Task Force, will be integrating one-of-a-kind public art into the plaza space.
Next Steps
CEI is moving forward with its utility relocation and RTA is working on detailed plans for its track/platform changes, site work, comfort station, and shelters. The City is creating final, detailed designs for the public realm transformation in advance of planned construction in 2024-2025.
