Officials discuss barrier options for Tollis Parkway

by Dan Holland

Sept. 16 city council meeting and Sept. 9 service/safety committee meeting

Members of the city’s service and safety committees deliberated the merits and drawbacks of installing a moveable electric gate at the west end of Tollis Parkway in place of an existing removeable guard rail.

The guard rail, which has been in place for many years, was removed over the summer to allow vehicle access while road paving took place on the street. A number of residents living on Falls Lane and Amelia Drive – which connects directly to Tollis when the barrier is removed – expressed opposition to removal of the barrier at an Aug. 26 council work session, citing concerns about increased traffic and speeders.

On Sept. 3, council passed a resolution to replace the barrier and close off the west end of Tollis Parkway. Discussions about installing an electric gate at the site, to be operated only by safety forces during an emergency situation, took place during the meeting.

Ward 3 Councilmember Brian Dunlap, who also serves as safety committee chair, said he believes the safety issue associated with closing the end of the street again in light of increased traffic flow, had been adequately addressed and settled by council. The type of barrier/gate is the only remaining issue.

“We need to decide what type of barrier is going to go up there that the safety forces could get through,” Dunlap said at the Sept. 9 committee meeting.

Police Chief Steven Raiff told officials he would prefer to see the current barrier remain in place as he questions the reliability of a moveable electric gate being installed at the end of Tollis Parkway to allow access to and from the residential neighborhood located to the west of it.

“If our officers drive down to the end of [Tollis] and find out that there’s no power and the gate is not working, now we’ve doubled our response time,” said Raiff. “In my opinion, you’ve closed it, so leave it closed.”

Raiff said the police department has been responding to the area for the 35 years he has worked for the department.

“My issue was always just patrol, and that’s why we don’t have cul-de-sac streets in the city,” he said. “It’s about how my officers patrol down Tollis, and they can go right into the side streets. That was always my biggest concern; more police presence.”

Fire Chief Jeff Hajek agreed with Raiff.

“Leave the guardrail. That’s way it’s been done, and the [firefighters] know which way they’ve always gone,” Hajek said. “And the residents have always gotten there that way. They’re not getting any less safety than they’ve ever had. This was about trying to help with something, but the gate is not a good idea.”

Ward 1 Councilmember Tom Pavlica pointed out that the 35-mph speed limit on Broadview and Royalwood roads allows safety forces to access Falls Lane and Amelia Drive just as quickly as if traveling down Tollis Parkway, which has a posted 25-mph speed limit.

Service Director David Schroedel addressed concerns about motorcycles squeezing through the current guardrail barrier at the end of Tollis Parkway by suggesting the possibility of extending the rail at both ends.

Dunlap, along with Councilpersons Brian Wolf and Joe Price, who serve on the safety committee, approved a motion to leave the road closure intact with the current guardrail/barrier.

Councilperson Jennifer Mahnic, who chairs the service committee, made a motion directing the law director to review legislation that would authorize Mayor/Safety Director Sam Alai to declare an emergency to temporarily remove the guardrail for purposes of safety and welfare. The motion was approved.

Councilmembers also approved:

• An agreement with J & J Enterprise Services Inc. to perform work on the Kenmar Sewer Repair Project at a total cost of $41,087.
• A resolution authorizing payment of $6,500 to Champion Data Systems LLC for an annual agenda management system.
• A resolution authorizing the mayor to submit an application to the 2025 Cuyahoga County Supplemental Grant program for the pickleball, basketball & tennis court improvement project in the city. The maximum grant available is for $50,000. ∞