May 2024

CITY OF FAIRVIEW PARK

MAIN STREET CONNECTION

Hello Kathleen,

Whether you are out working in your yard, walking or riding your bike on the new Mastick Road Connector Trail, or enjoying one of the City's wonderful parks, I hope you have been able to enjoy the beautiful weather.

May is the month we celebrate and remember many people - graduates, mothers and veterans.

Congratulations to all those that are graduating and best of luck in your future endeavors.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, and any one who has helped raise, love or influence a child!

Memorial Day, observed on Monday, May 27, is a day that honors the men and women who died while serving in the United States military. The City will honor these men and women with a ceremony at City Hall at 8:00 A.M. After that ceremony, the annual Memorial Day Parade sponsored by the American Legion Post 738 will start at 9:00 A.M.  The parade begins at the Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home and concludes at the Fairview Park Cemetery. Special thanks to the members of American Legion Post 738 for leading all of us in honoring the service members whose sacrifice we remember on Memorial Day.

The State of the Community is Thursday, May 2 at 7:00 P.M. in the Fairview High School cafeteria. All are welcome!

Sincerely,

Mayor Bill Schneider

GEMINI CENTER UPDATE

Legislation allowing the City to issue Bond Anticipation Notes has been passed by City Council. This allows the city to essentially borrow against future tax revenues to pay contractors for work now.

The project will be split into three phases:

• Phase 1: Non-natatorium roof and rooftop HVAC units
• Phase 2: Natatorium swimming pool replacement, pool piping, pool equipment, interior curtainwall
• Phase 3: Natatorium roof, exterior curtainwall, natatorium HVAC, fire protection, lighting, electrical

In the next few months, the City will be working on acquiring bids for work to start phase 1 of the project. Work is expected to start late fall and will possibly continue into 2026. We are also adding an owner's representative and an architect to oversee all three phases of the project. This decision was made after assessing the enormity of the project as well as consulting with the Cuyahoga County Administration. 

HERITAGE HOME PROGRAM AND THE HOUSING ENHANCEMENT LOAN PROGRAM

The Heritage Home Program (HHP), a program of the Cleveland Restoration Society, is operating in Fairview Park. The HHP offers guidance and low-cost financing, with interest as low as 2%, to homeowners for home improvements and maintenance projects. While there are some restrictions on qualifying projects, homeowners can use the loans for many projects, such as basement waterproofing. Please see the program website for details. 

Join the Heritage Home Program at Fairview Park's Gemini Recreation Center on Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 P.M. to learn about the Heritage Home Program and the services we provide. This presentation will go through the Heritage Home Program, explain how it works to assist homeowners with their home repair projects, and have time for questions at the end of the presentation. Click here to register for the presentation.

There are additional programs already available for low cost financing through the County, such as the Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP). Eligible properties must have a property tax value under $250,000 to qualify. Please visit their website for details.

STATE OF THE COMMUNITY

SEWER INFORMATION

WOODSTOCK AVENUE SEWER PROJECT

The Woodstock Avenue Sewer Project is expected to start this year. The City has received $3.5 million from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency. Total cost of the project is $4,891,000. The project includes the removal of existing 24” and 30” storm sewer and replacement with new 30” HDPE (High Density Polyethylene Pipe); removal of existing 10” and 12” VCP (vitrified clay pipe) sanitary sewer and replacement with new 15” PVC sanitary. The roadway on Woodstock Avenue will be significantly impacted, but we will make sure that residents are informed and well advised leading up to the start of construction.

REGIONAL EQUALIZATION FACILITY

The Regional Equalization Facility project has received a federal grant for $1,152,000 to design a stormwater retention tank. The City will continue to update residents about this project.

NEW SEWER FLOW MONITORS

Ten new sewer flow monitors are installed at important intersections in the city to identify areas of strong inflow and infiltration in areas serviced by the Rocky River Waste Water Treatment Plant. The monitoring will occur for the next few months and will not impact sewer operation.

HOME VISITS

A very popular program, Home Flooding Visits, will continue. Residents that are interested in having the City Engineer visit their home to review best practices to help mitigate flooding should call 440-356-4411 to schedule your appointment. There are a limited amount of dates and times available in May.

SEWER CLEANING

The Service Department uses the Sewer Jet to clean catch basins, storm sewers and sanitary sewers in the City of Fairview Park, weather permitting. Please click here for a report on what streets the Sewer Jet has been working to clean the sewers.

CITY PROJECTS

Click here for information about the projects listed below.

• Morton Park Courts
• Metroparks Connector Trail at Mastick Road
• Brookpark Road Paving
• West 227 Street Bridge Replacement (Esther Avenue-Bard Avenue)
• Bain Park Erosion Project
• Lorain Road Business District Revitalization Plan

• Woodstock Avenue Sewer Replacement Project
• Stanford Avenue Sewer & Water Main Replacement
• Fairpark Drive Water Main Replacement
• West 220 Bridge over I-480 (ODOT)
• Lorain Road Bridge Over Metroparks

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION

AND SHREDDING EVENT MAY 18

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Shredding will take place in the rear of City Hall on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Please enter off Lorain Road. Please have items for disposal/shredding in the truck/back of your vehicle and volunteers will remove the items. Please limit your shredding materials to 2 "banker" boxes and to confidential materials only. Non-confidential materials can be recycled weekly in your green recycle container. 

Thank you to the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District for the grant that helps finance this important City event.

WASTE COLLECTION

SCHEDULE AND SERVICE GUIDE

Yard waste and bulk items (maximum of 6 items) are collected every week. Yard waste can be placed in plastic bags or loose in a trash container marked "Yard Waste". Bags and cans must not exceed 35 pounds. Small branches must be cut and bundled not to exceed 4 feet in length and no heavier than 35 pounds.

Click here to view the 2024 schedule for rubbish, recycling, bulk item, yard waste, leaf, and special recycling collections. There will not be a collection on Memorial Day, May 27. The collection will be on Tuesday, May 28.

Click here for the Trash, Yard Waste, Recycling and Bulk Waste Service Guide provided by Republic Services.

CLEVELAND HOPKINS TERMINAL MODERNIZATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSION MAY 23

The City is proud to support all of the local businesses in our community. Click here to see a list of local businesses. 

EAT LOCAL

Please click here for a list of restaurants in Fairview Park.

FIRE DEPARTMENT

The annual inspection and flushing of fire hydrants in the City will begin Monday, May 6, 2024 and will continue until all hydrants are tested. Please watch for "Hydrant Flushing"  signage in your neighborhood.

Hydrant flushing can, and usually does, cause a temporary condition of rusty water. Please check your water supply, especially before using your washer or filling your pool. If you have rusty water, run your cold water faucets until the water runs clear.

PROGRAMS AT THE GEMINI CENTER

The Parks and Recreation Department offers programs for people of all ages. Visit the Recreation Department's page on the city website for information about the all the programs and additional events at the Gemini Center.

ALL SENIORS PROM

The Senior Center is rolling out the red carpet on Wednesday, May 15 from 2;00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. at the Hollywood inspired All Seniors Prom - A "Night" on the Red Carpet. For $15 enjoy appetizers and a special catered sit-down dinner by Italian Creations served by Fairview High School's graduating seniors. There will be music provided by a DJ, dancing, door prizes, raffle prizes, and a 50/50 raffle.

Come dressed in your best glitz and glamour, as your favorite movie star, casual or as yourself. Call 440-356-4437 to reserve your spot today.

SENIOR SCOPE AND CALENDAR

BREAKFAST WITH THE MAYOR

Join Mayor Bill Schneider for breakfast on Wednesday, May 8 at 9:30 A.M. at the Senior Center. The Mayor will share all the latest Fairview Park news. Register now for the free breakfast by calling 440-356-4437 to reserve your spot.

VAN TRANSPORTATION

Click here for information regarding van transportation.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COALITION

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coalition will be meeting Wednesdays, May 1 and 15 at 6:30 P.M. at City Hall in the Dunson Room. All are welcome!

JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month. The month of May was chosen due to the highly successful celebration of the 350th Anniversary of American Jewish History in May 2004, which was organized by the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History.

More information regarding Jewish American Heritage month can be found here.

Locally, the Maltz Museum offers many wonderful exhibits and a great gift shop.

OLDERS AMERICANS MONTH

Every president since President John F. Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities in order to honor and recognize them for the contributions they make to our families, communities, and society.

The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. Connectedness plays an important role in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues. 

Here are some ways you can participate:

• Share facts about the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits of social connection and how it contributes to overall well-being.
• Promote resources that help older adults engage, like community events, social clubs, and volunteer opportunities.
• Connect older adults with local services, such as transportation, that can help them overcome obstacles to achieving or maintaining meaningful relationships.
• Challenge professional and personal networks to prioritize meaningful social connections and share the benefits.
• Inspire older adults to share what connection means to them on social media using the hashtag #PoweredByConnection.



Diverse communities are strong communities. Ensuring that older adults remain involved and included in Fairview Park for as long as possible benefits everyone.

JOIN THE SHADE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

Do you value our urban forest for the ways it protects Fairview Park residents and beautifies our City? Are you interested in steering the effort to maintain and grow our canopy? Consider joining the Shade Tree Advisory Committee ("STAC"). STAC is composed of volunteer residents who meet monthly to plan and administer programs that support the management of our urban forest. No previous experience in tree care or horticulture is required. If interested, please send a letter of intent to the Clerk of Council, Liz Westbrooks, at liz.westbrooks@fairviewpark.org.

WHAT IS THE ADOPT-A-TREE PROGRAM

by STAC member Doug MacMillan

If you were raised in West Virginia or parts of Pennsylvania, you know what the Devil’s Strip is. In the more refined cities of Ohio, the land between your sidewalk and the street is more correctly referred to as the "Tree Lawn". Fairview Park’s Adopt-A-Tree Program is every homeowner’s opportunity to have a tree planted in their tree lawn by the City almost free of charge.

The City’s program encourages expansion of the urban tree canopy by offering to pick up the tree you purchased at a local nursery and plant it (including mulch and a stake) at no charge.

If you want to add a tree to your tree lawn at a substantial savings, follow these easy steps:

1. Call the Fairview Park Service Department at 440-356-4410 to arrange for a site inspection which will also provide help with selecting the best tree for your spot.
2. Buy a tree at a local nursery. Have them hold it under your name and call the City or email then at www.fairviewpark.org/service-deoartment/adopt-a-tree.com to tell them your tree is ready for pick-up and delivery.

Why does the City offer this? Trees offer all kinds of benefits like increased property value, cooling shade, rainwater control, cleaner air and, perhaps most importantly, they combat climate change. The Shade Tree Advisory Committee urges you to take advantage of this very popular City benefit.

SHADE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

The Shade Tree Advisory Committee holds public meetings on the second Thursday of every month. Please join us in the Dunson Room at City Hall for our next meeting May 9, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.

FAIRVIEW MILITARY BURIALS

Tracing Fairview Park History, Chris H. Gerrett

On the last Monday of May, Fairview Park comes together to remember those who paid the highest price, 'those who gave their all' in service for our country. The City respectfully thanks all our military men and women who have served. 

Back in the day, students from State Street School participated in placing flowers on each veteran's grave at the Fairview Cemetery. In later years, rose petals were dropped over the cemetery from an airplane as taps were played. More recently, a veteran from American Legion Post 738 and a girl scout place a flag at the veteran's gravesite. And a memory for all attending the service, the three-volley salute signifying "duty, honor, and sacrifice," followed by the sound of taps. 

Historically, the most common military gravesites in the Fairview Park Cemetery are those of Fred Gilles and John Sweet, the two Fairview Village boys who died while serving in World War I. Gilles-Sweet Elementary School was named for these young Fairview Village boys. The cemetery is also the final resting place for many other veterans who gave for our freedom.

The Fairview Park Cemetery is the final resting place for veterans from the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. To learn more about these brave men, their rank, regiment, etc., take a self-guided tour by visiting the website: www.FairviewParkCemetery.org, select ‘Honoring Our Veterans, then select ‘Tour of veteran gravesites’. 

ARBOR DAY 2024

GARDEN CLUB

The Garden Club meets most second Tuesdays of the month in the Dunson Room at City Hall at 6:30 P.M. to socialize and the meeting begins at 7:00 P.M. The next meeting open to the public is Tuesday, June 11. The meeting will be an ice cream social. All are welcome. Garden Club updates can be found on the Garden Club's Facebook page.

GREEN TEAM