Richmond Heights is going to pursue different funding methods to close sidewalk gaps along the south side of Chardon Road between Brushview Drive and Chestnut Lane after a grant funding request was recently denied. The city is seeking to construct at least 2,000 linear feet of ADA-compliant sidewalk , as part of its Chardon Road Sidewalk Gap Closure Project. According to Economic Development Assistant Rachel Gardiner, the area in question was identified as posing a hazard to people traveling in the area as there were limited areas to walk, and the project falls under their larger Richmond-Chardon Streetscape and Business Revitalization Plan. “We picked it, one, just because it’s not safe,” Gardiner said. “It was repaved, and (is) a great road, but we still want to make sure that people can walk safely if need be. If not, they would have to cross the road to the north side of Chardon and walk down. So, it makes zero sense, why does one side have it and the other doesn’t. “What I would like to see is it go all the way down to Willoughby Hills, and if we had extra funding, just take it a couple feet further to connect everything so it’s a walkable corridor.” Last month the city Economic Development Department submitted a grant request to the Ohio Department of Transportation- Transportation Alternatives Program that would have provided federal funding of up to 80% of the construction costs. However, that grant has been denied. Gardiner said that, even though the funding was not awarded, the city remains committed to doing the project and are seeking alternative funding methods. “We typically look for grants to compliment things,” Gardiner previously said on how projects like this were funded. “Because if the funding is out there- let’s go for it… Our main interest is public safety and pedestrian safety, through our corridor that is heavily traveled. It’s one of our major East-West corridors that we want to address.” ...read more read less