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This project aims to consolidate two existing railways to create a direct trail connection between the Zoo and Towpath, with an interactive trail center and an extreme sports complex. The plan includes creating a recreational destination at Harvard Junction and generating new jobs and economic benefits for the area. The Rails to Trails Conservancy initiative supports the nationwide network of trails from former rail lines. Safety, liability, and feasibility factors are considered for successful project implementation. Recreation, environment, job creation, fiscal benefits, time, and political interest influence the overall project score. Analysis shows positive impacts on recreation, job creation, fiscal benefits, and environmental restoration, with challenges in negotiation and political interest.
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THE RAIL-PATH TRAIL:Consolidate & Create Adam Freck Brian Lee Kevin Smith
Project Overview • Consolidate two existing railways in order to create the most direct trail connection between the Zoo and Towpath • Create an interactive trail center with restaurants, ice cream shops, and bike rentals, • Create a recreation destination with the construction of an extreme sports complex
Study Area • Two Railroad Companies on two lines • North Line: Norfolk Southern • South Line: CSX
CONCEPT: Consolidate …. • Wasted Space • Parallel Routes • Close Proximity • Two railroad tracks = 1 RR track + 1 recreational trail
.… and Create • Harvard Junction • Located on Old Harshaw Factory Site • Will be home to: • Restaurants • Ice Cream Shop • Bike Shop / Rental • Canoe and Kayak Rental • Create Jobs • Approximately 50 new jobs • No displacement of current employment • End destination of the Scenic Railway
…still Creating • Extreme recreational facility • Indoor Paintball • Rock Climbing Wall • Indoor BMX/Skate Park
How can we do this? RAILS TO TRAILS CONSERVANCY!
Rails to Trails Creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people. 13,150 miles of rail-trails with over 100 million users per year.
Rails With Trails • Shared use path or other trail located on or directly adjacent to an active railroad corridor. • 65 RWTs encompass more than 239 miles in 30 U.S. States. • Located adjacent to active rail lines ranging from a few slow-moving short-haul freight trains weekly, to high frequency Amtrak trains traveling as fast as 140 mi/h.
Rails with TrailsFrequency of trains • Estimated 15 trains per day
Rails with TrailsOwnership Government agencies own about half the RWT corridors nationwide. The remainder owned by railroad. The trail management agency purchases a use easement or license from the railroad or transit authority, utility, private landowner.
Rails with TrailsSafety and Liability • No claims filed against railroad companies. • 71% of Rails with Trails use barriers to separate the tracks and the trail
Rails with TrailsSafety and Liability • Railroad company concerns • Trespassing • Injuries • Lawsuits
Rails with TrailsSafety and Liability • Our plan calls for no at grade crossing. • Liability exposure reduction options • Recreational use statute • Trespassing legislation • Rail with trail State statute • Easement/lease agreements that limit liability • Easement/lease agreements with full indemnification • Insurance • Transfer of ownership
Project Success and Feasibility • Seven identifying and determining factors • Recreation • Environment • Jobs • Fiscal Benefits • Time • Cost • Political Interest • Each weighted differently according to the predetermined weighting scale
Recreation • Cyclists • Current usage of 25,900 annually along Big Creek Trail • Upon completion, projected use will increase to 60,000 • Walkers/Joggers • Currently 96,200 users annually • Upon completion, projected use will increase to 190,000 • Cleveland Metroparks Zoo • Approximately 1.3 million visitors per year • Will increase this number by enhanced access and links to Steelyard Commons and Scenic Railway • Extreme Sports • No usage • Extreme Sports Facility • Urban Camping • No proposal along rail lines • OVERALL SCORE: 4
Environment • Utilization of remediated Harshaw site with the construction of Harvard Junction • Ecological restoration by removing one RR • OVERALL SCORE: 2
Jobs • Current employment base of 15 • Creation of new jobs • Harvard Junction will create approximately 50 new jobs • Extreme Sports Facility will create 15 • Net increase of 50 jobs created in the Lower Big Creek Area • OVERALL SCORE: 4
Fiscal Benefits • Increase in income tax revenue as 50 new jobs created • 25 Full Time @ $25,000 • 25 Part Time @ $12,500 • Total Taxable Income of $937,500 • New property construction • Increase in property value • One block: 5% • OVERALL SCORE: 4
Time • Railroad Consolidation and Trail Construction • Approx. 1.5 years • Extreme Sports Complex • Approx. 2 years • OVERALL SCORE: 2
Political Interest • Difficult negotiations with CSX and Norfolk Southern • RR concerns: • Competition • Scheduling • Compensation/Cost • Time to build • Harvard Junction success contingent upon Scenic Railroad • Ownership/Management of Trail • Metroparks • City of Cleveland • Cuyahoga County • Old Brooklyn Neighborhood • OVERALL SCORE: 1
CONCLUSIONS FEASIBLE?
