Cuyahoga County Implements Sustainability Initiatives

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Media contacts:  
Emily Lundgard: (216) 348‐4395 or elundgard@cuyahogacounty.us

Bike Racks, Complete and Green Streets, County Health Alliance

CLEVELAND – On Friday, August 2nd, Cuyahoga County announced the installment of 16 new bike racks at the Justice Center, Virgil E. Brown, and Jane Edna Hunter buildings. The bike racks are spaced to fit fire code and ADA compliance standards and were provided by Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry through the Metro Metal Works program. The program is a Social Enterprise that provides employment opportunities for an under-utilized workforce, including ex-offenders and homeless individuals. The bike rack installation is only one of many new sustainability initiatives sponsored by the county. 

A work team also has been formed to change road and bridge design standards in Cuyahoga County to meet Complete and Green Streets guidelines. The guidelines examine the roles of pedestrians, vehicles, transit, cyclists, and green infrastructure in street design. The team consists of staff from the Office of the Executive, Department of Public Works, County Planning Commission, and Bike Cleveland.   

"As we encounter a growing number of people choosing to bike to work, it is exciting to see that Cuyahoga County is taking the initiative to ensure that there are safe and convenient places for bikes to be locked," said Jacob VanSickle, Executive Director of Bike Cleveland and organizational member of the County Health Alliance. "Through our involvement in the County Health Alliance, we have witnessed Cuyahoga County take a proactive role in identifying policies that will advance infrastructure improvements to create safer streets and encourage biking for better health." 

“Cuyahoga County supports and encourages practices that improve health and contribute to a more sustainable environment,” said County Executive Ed FitzGerald. “These initiatives are a step forward in creating a culture that promotes wellness and environmental responsibility and are a related effort of our County Health Alliance.” 

Within the county government, other sustainability strategies include: efforts to reduce paper consumption, print management, and the implementation of a recycling program. Moving forward, Cuyahoga County has additional plans to promote sustainability, including the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification of the new county headquarters.  The LEED certification recognizes best practices in building strategies and serves as a third-party verification of green building.

  
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