Euclid makes progress on projects in 2020; focus on safety, infrastructure in 2021, mayor says – News-Herald.com

Euclid was jolted by the novel coronavirus pandemic like most cities across the country but still saw progress citywide in 2020.

At least nine new businesses opened, the first phase of the Waterfront Trail project was completed and phase two began, and the Euclid Police Department welcomed four new officers along with the creation of a captains position responsible for the recently formed Community Services Division.

Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail said that the pandemic brought the greatest challenge to her city this year because it had an impact on every sector residents, businesses and city administration alike all felt the strain of both the social and economic impacts.

"The stress and uncertainty of a global pandemic, ever-changing guidance from health professionals, and budget uncertainty brought challenges, but also taught us some important lessons primarily the importance of family, health and resiliency," Gail said.

The mayor particularly commended the resiliency of Euclid city leaders and staff and their ability to adapt to the necessary building alterations and new virtually conducted meetings and other services.

"COVID caused us to have to limit in-person interactions, but made us think of new ways to bring people together, communicate in different ways and develop new partnerships," she said.

"We all learned to use Zoom and provided new virtual services and programs including Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs, town hall meetings, public hearings, virtual recreation programs and of course, council meetings," Gail added.

She said they were able to utilize the federal CARES Act funds the city received to provide assistance to small businesses and food programs and offer rental assistance to struggling families.

Euclid Pulp Juice & Smoothie Bar opened at 22404 Lake Shore Blvd.

Despite the COVID-19 related challenges, some of the new businesses Euclid welcomed included a Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar on Lake Shore Boulevard, Intellitronix on East 222nd Street and That Breakfast Place on Euclid Avenue.

New housing has also been an ongoing project in 2020.

"Four new homes were completed this year and 19 more are in process," Gail said. "Most of these are land bank lots which are meant to encourage development."

Euclid received a grant from Cuyahoga County in 2020 to continue planting trees and focus on expanding the city's tree canopy.

The city's growth also extended to the plant life Gail said they were fortunate to receive a Tree Canopy Grant from Cuyahoga County, which conducted a survey that showed Euclid to be one of only a few cities to grow its tree canopy.

Moving forward into the new year, Gail explained that City Council had passed a temporary budget for 2021, but the final one is still in the process of formulation. She said a draft budget will be presented to Council in February for passage by the end of March.

"We are still cautious about the impact of COVID, but thanks to the assistance of CARES funds, we were able to make some adjustments that will carry over to 2021 and enable us to start 2021 with a stronger cash balance than we have had in many years," she said.

The mayor emphasized that the city administration's top two priorities in 2021 will be improving safety and infrastructure, which will include expanding their police force and utilizing a SAFER Grant (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) to hire six new firefighters as well.

"We know safety is the critical priority that impacts everything we do it is at the center of a strong and vibrant community and impacts our ability to attract and retain residents, businesses and provide a high quality of life," she said.

"We have seen investment and growth but as an aging city we have tremendous needs in maintaining our critical infrastructure like roads, buildings, sewers, parks and playgrounds," Gail added.

Some infrastructure improvements will include the full repaving of Euclid Avenue along with creating a paving program for side streets and completion of the water reclamation plant project.

Gail also said the eagerly anticipated Waterfront Trail project running along Lake Erie from Sims Park to East 250th Street will also reach completion in 2021.

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Euclid makes progress on projects in 2020; focus on safety, infrastructure in 2021, mayor says - News-Herald.com