Greenspace grant gets greenlighted

by Dan Holland

May 20 city council meeting

Broadview Heights City Council passed a resolution in support of West Creek Conservancy’s Clean Ohio Greenspace grant application to the Ohio Public Works Commission for the conservation and protection to purchase a 20-acre wooded tract located between Wilmington Drive and the Ohio Turnpike for conservation.

The conservancy previously purchased a 23-acre tract of land from the city in May 2023 at a cost of $185,000 through the Clean Ohio Greenspace Conservation Program. The parcel, through which Chippewa Creek flows, is located on the northwest corner of Interstate 77 and Royalton Roads. The tract, which includes both sides of Chippewa Creek, will remain undeveloped, while a 20-acre site adjoining it to the south, at the end of Treeworth Boulevard, is slated for redevelopment.

Mayor Sam Alai addressed the current conservation effort during a May 13 council work session.

“West Creek Conservancy CEO Derek Shaffer reached back out to us for a letter of support for a grant like they did [previously] for that other property that we prevented them building into for the property at the end of Wilmington,” said Alai. “This is the last of that acreage that’s available – 20 acres. They’re asking for our support so we can put all of that land in conservancy to protect the south end of town.”

Ward 1 council representative Tom Pavlica also spoke on the topic.

“I ask my colleagues to support this, as this is great for the residents of New Hampton,” said Pavlica. “It’s going to improve the possibility of not having any building going on behind our residential homes. As the mayor mentioned, they started with 20 acres, and adding this to it is going to be fantastic. Now, if we could only get them to move further west and in the north part of [the parcel], that would be even better yet.”

 In other business, council members also approved:

  • Easton Telecom for phone services at Fire Station No.1;
  • Electric and water upgrades by BG Automation for the Bramblewood Pump Station.;
  • The Kenmar Storm Sewer Repair project with J & J Enterprise Services Inc;  
  • Thee provision of road salt from Cargill;
  • Safety Town instruction services for 2024.
  • A $10,000 donation to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District Community Awareness and Prevention Association and a $10,000 donation to the North Royalton City School District for drug abuse programs. ∞