Cleveland, OH
NOACA Study Details Dangers of Downtown Cleveland Streets, Paves Way for Solutions
Mark Oprea
Cyclists downtown last summer. A recent study by NOACA teased bike lanes in Cleveland’s future.
Last Friday, in a boardroom at the Northeast Ohio Area Coordinating Agency, a team of transportation consultants from Columbus detailed the culmination of three years of studies done on the streets of Downtown Cleveland.
The results, in a 45-slide presentation, clarified the area’s need for a makeover: To put roughly 80 percent of its streets on a road diet—shortening their widths. To build center medians on those like East 9th. To link bike lane pathways already in planning stages.
“You can see a little bit of a network forming, but not a lot,” Steve Thieken, a planning specialist at Burgess & Niple, the firm responsible for the study, said at last week’s meeting, according to Cleveland.com. “Compared to peer cities, many have a more completed system.”
What the end product of NOACA’s three-year Downtown Livability and Transportation Study does, besides acknowledge Downtown’s gaping lack of safe bike lane infrastructure, is two-fold.
Besides laying foreshadowing framework for the City Mobility Plan, NOACA’s downtown overlook—which cost a quarter of a million dollars—will enable the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects, and other departments, to pinpoint and better apply for state and federal funds that could, one day, pave way for actual construction.
Which, the study pointed out, carries both elements of contemporary design and a glowing need to remake streets into safer transportation routes. Along with a meaty proposal for, say, throwing a center lane and bike path onto the four-to-six lane beast that is East 9th St., the study found that 40 percent of those surveyed regularly felt unsafe riding bikes or scooters.
NOACA’s notch in Cleveland’s pursuit of more modern street design contributes to a growing narrative for what the city itself could look like in the next decade, as more gradually come further in line under a principle becoming more obvious: we need to right the wrongs of past planning decisions.
Or, as a slide labeled “Untapped”in Friday’s presentation put it: “Many downtown streets are designed for rush hour and special event traffic, which can lead to higher vehicle speeds during non-peak hours.” In other words, infrastructure drives behavior.
“People have to remember that streets aren’t only for automobiles,” NOACA President Grace Gallucci told Scene in a call Thursday. “And that’s how you have to discuss this with people for [these plans] to make sense. And I mean, people who are driving want to be safe too.”
Burgess & Niple
Where bike lanes are—and are not—downtown, in teal, blue and pink, a slide from NOACA’s presentation last week showed.
Burgess & Niple
Where bike lanes and shortened streets could be or will be in Cleveland’s future.
And just as long as NOACA’s been developing its study—and much, much longer in Greater Cleveland lore—ideas on which Downtown streets to overhaul have been gathering.
As its study teased last Friday, those ideas are wide-ranging: six total cycle tracks on Downtown’s east side; a bike trail that runs from Public Square to Progressive Field; an East 9th Greenspace Corridor that links Downtown’s front door to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
“Oh, that’s such an unpleasant experience,” Audrey Gerlach, the VP of economic development for Downtown Cleveland, Inc., a partner in NOACA’s study, said. “I don’t want to push a stroller, or a wheelchair [down East 9th], even as an able-bodied person.”
“To me, this is definitely not an if but a when,” Gerlach added. “Consultants in town to study this is important—but we all instinctively know that East 9th is dangerous.”
As for actually making East 9th safer, and not just more aesthetically pleasing with tree lines and median refuges (resting spots in the middle of crosswalks), only City Hall itself is in the jurisdiction to bring Downtown’s streets into the 21st century.
Calley Mersmann, a senior strategist for transportation and member of the city’s Mobility Team, told Scene that the study she helped steer over the past three years has real world applications as far as bankrolling projects to enhance Downtown’s walkability. Mersmann suggested that the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects, along with other departments, could leverage said study into grant funding from—ironically—NOACA’s own Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative. (Up to $2 million a year, though.)
“Because this plan exists,” she put it simply, “we can tap into that.”
As for the Mobility Plan, which could include a network of unified bike lanes across the city, that should be released to the public by early 2025.
NOACA’s study …
“This plan kind of took those ideas to the next step by instituting them as recommendations,” she said.
Her colleague, and active transportation planner, Sarah Davis agreed. “It’s helpful to have that zoomed in perspective as we’re going into this citywide,” Davis said. “And to be able to focus in more specifically. That this is out there, and people are thinking about it.”
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said ICE arrested more than 280 people during a recent immigration enforcement crackdown.
Operation Buckeye took place throughout the state from Dec. 18 to 21.
The DHS described those arrested as “illegal aliens” and said some are criminals convicted of aggravated assault against a police officer, robbery, criminal possession of a firearm, and drug trafficking.
“While Americans were attending Christmas parties and shopping for gifts for their loved ones, ICE law enforcement was hard at work arresting the worst of the worst,” the DHS stated.
The results of Operation Buckeye was announced on Thursday, the same day anti-ICE protests gathered around Northeast Ohio following the deadly shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.
The DHS highlighted these suspects as “some of the worst arrested during Operation Buckeye:
“Emanuel Guijosa-Nonato, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of aggravated assault against a police officer, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence of liquor, and illegal re-entry,” the DHS described.
“Andres Blanco Hernandez, a criminal illegal alien arrested for assault and domestic violence,” the DHS said.
“Wilmar Edgardo Lozano-Alcantara, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador convicted of drug possession, robbery, and trespassing,“ the DHS listed.
“Erick Jose Ramos-Boscan, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela convicted of criminal possession of a firearm,“ according to the DHS.
“Edilmiro Pedraza Quinones, a criminal illegal alien convicted of drug possession, shoplifting and contempt of court,“ the DHS stated.
“Marco Antonio Clemente Picazo, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico convicted of driving under the influence of liquor and drug possession,“ the DHS shared.
“Melvin Alejandro Rodriguez Rodriguez, a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela previously arrested for assault,“ according to the DHS.
“Fernandez Flores, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras convicted of making a false police report and arrested for larceny and obstructing police,“ the DHS described.
“The American people can be so proud of their ICE law enforcement for their hard work arresting the worst of the worst even during the holiday season,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated. “Operation Buckeye resulted in the arrest of more than 280 illegal aliens, including criminals convicted of assaulting a police officer, criminal firearm possession, and drug trafficking. Thanks to our law enforcement, Ohio neighborhoods are safer with these criminals behind bars where they belong.”
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
An event where leaders, educators, instructional designers and others mingle, discuss e-learning technology and learn from an audience broader than their own.
— Pat Cassella, CEO and Executive Director
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The United States Distance Learning Association is proud to open registration for its 39th annual global distance learning conference. The event is being held in Cleveland, Ohio and the theme is “Universal Harmony: Exploring the Melodic Chords of Distance and Digital Learning.” The host location will be the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower from June 22 – 25th, 2026.
The USDLA National Conference has long been an event where leaders, educators, instructional designers and others mingle, discuss e-learning technology and learn from an audience broader than their own. Past attendees have enjoyed the in-person interactions, hands-on networking and personal relationships made with one another. All registrations include access to the the virtual conference, with sessions being held June 16th-17th, 2026.
The Conference and Events committee is well established and known each year for providing the best experience possible for personalized networking and cutting-edge session tracks. Past attendee feedback plays an instrumental role in planning the details for subsequent events. Universal Harmony: Exploring the Melodic Chords of Distance and Digital Learning focuses on tracks that are in high demand as educators continue to navigate both remote and in-person learning strategies. These tracks include:
– The Digital AI Groove: Exploring Innovative Techniques and Technologies Education
– Backstage Pass to Policy: Navigating Governance and Regulation in Distance Education
– The Headliners: Distance and Digital Leadership on the Higher Education Mainstage
– Open Mic, Open Minds: Ensuring Quality, Flexibility, and Access in Online Learning
– The ID Set List: Curating Best Practices in Instructional Design
– Amplify Every Voice: Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusivity in Online Education
– The K-12 Playground: Curating Best Practices in the K-12 Space
ALL concurrent sessions are end-user led, and share best practices within the world of distance and digital learning. These presentations will be focused “power sessions” that eliminate fluff and get right into the important details on the topic. Offering more than 30 sessions, topics for 2026 include Reframing Bloom’s for the Age of AI, ADA Compliance for Instructional Designers, Leveraging AI to Design Online Course Modules, AI Roleplay in the Classroom, Composing AI Policy for Responsible, Effective Digital Learning, Digital Harmony and more.
There are also several free pre and post-conference workshops with daily complimentary breakfast and lunch, making this a very cost effective event.
***Conference Registration Rates***
Member Early Bird $495 (Valid until 1/31/2026)
Member Standard $550 (Valid 2/1/2026 through 6/21/2026)
Member On-site $595 (after 6/21/2026)
Non-Member Early Bird $595 (Valid until 1/31/2026)
Non-Member Standard $650 (Valid 2/1/2026 through 6/21/2026)
Non-Member On-site $695 (after 6/21/2026)
All USDLA members providing their membership username (email) at time of registration will receive the USDLA Member rate.
Please send any questions to membership@usdla.org
***For-Profit and Not-For-Profit Discount Special (Bundle Savings)***
Purchase 2 registrations, get the 3rd for free ($495 savings)
Purchase 3 registrations, get the 4th and 5th for free ($990 savings)
**Single Day and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame event Rates**
One-Day Pass – $299 (Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday)
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Event – $199 (includes private tour and cocktail hour)
**Presenter Rates**
On-Site Presenter fee $300 (includes full on-site conference pass)
Virtual Presenter fee $100 (if presenting remotely)
Contact Harriet Watkins for presenter registration code at harriet.watkins@iconnect-na.com
Full details can be found at the national conference registration website.
Keynote: Dr. Michael Torrence, President, Motlow State Community College
Dr. Michael Torrence is a nationally recognized strategist, visionary, writer, and thought leader
in higher education who has redefined institutional excellence through innovation, inclusion, and transformative leadership. Since becoming the seventh President of Motlow State Community College in May 2018, he has transformed the institution into an award-winning, cutting-edge model of academic and workforce innovation.
Featured Presenter: Robbie Melton, Associate Vice President – SMART Global Technology Innovation Strategist
Presenting on “The Tools Shaping the World of Artificial Intelligence”, Dr. Melton has published and presented globally on the impact and value of mobile devices for education and the workforce. Her study of the pedagogy and best teaching practices with mobile devices, quality standards for the utilization of mobile apps, and her creation of the Mobile App Education and Workforce Resource Center has resulted in numerous awards.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Event
Join us for an exclusive, private evening of exploring, heavy apps (enough for dinner) and cool beverages. We will kick everything off at 6:30 with shuttles taking attendees to the event from the hotel. Attendees will be given VIP passes (lanyards) with information on what is on each level of the hall. The R&R HOF staff will be our guides for the evening.
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you are tired of large shows with limited attendee engagement, our national conference is an intimate environment where partners are part of the production from the very start, demonstrating their gear as part of the conference production.
The dramatic growth of the distance learning industry makes our market attractive to a variety of technology, content, and service providers. Conference partners proudly support the distance education community and make lifelong contacts in the process.
Full details can be found on the sponsorship opportunities page.
Distance Learning Awards
As the premier organization promoting the use and practice of distance learning, USDLA recognizes “the best of the best” each year with its series of individual and organizational awards. Open to member and non-members alike, nominations are submitted in January, judged by committees of peers, and then awarded as a highlight of USDLA’s National Conference.
A unique aspect of the competition is that the various categories are open on an equal basis to all forms of distance learning platforms, addressing the gamut of distance learning audiences, and from anywhere in the world. That range is illustrated by past awards years where top honors went to a major US university for its innovative design of an online computer science course, “Quantitative Methods for Information Systems” and to a videoconferencing provider in Ghana for expanding the horizons of that country’s K-12 students.
Learn more at the distance learning awards page.
Pat Cassella
United States Distance Learning Association
+1 203-980-6928
email us here
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A man in his 30s was shot in the leg in downtown Cleveland on Thursday afternoon.
The shooting happened on Ontario Street near Public Square in front of Jake’s Deli around 5 pm.
The victim drove himself to East 18th and Euclid Avenue, where he called the police.
The man was taken to the hospital for treatment.
19 News has reached out to Cleveland EMS for his condition.
Police said information suggests this appears to be an isolated incident following a confrontation between two individuals.
Cleveland Police officers and detectives are working to identify the suspect.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
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