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Planning & Development: Major Projects - Puritas Rapid Station
A ground-breaking ceremony is set for 11:30am Wednesday, May 27, 2009, as the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) begins to
build a new facility at the aging Puritas-W. 150th Red Line rail station, at 4200 W. 150th St. Construction should take about 24 months.
Much of the $9.54 million project will be paid with federal stimulus money in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. By
law, federal stimulus money must be used for capital improvements, and cannot be used for operating expenses.
RTA Board action
On April 21, 2009, the RTA Board of Trustees approved four resolutions for the project:
- 2009-26: Awarding a $8.09 million contract to the Cold Harbor Building Co. of Chardon
for general trades. About 20 percent of the work, or $1.62 million, will go to five Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) –
Comm Steel, Denise Flagging,
oyal Landscape, Western Reserve Interiors and
Commercial Tile and Stone.
- 2009-27: Awarding a $1.04 million contract to the Ullman Electric Co. of
Cleveland for electrical trades. About 20 percent of the work, or $41,974, will go to a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) – Jones Technological Enterprises Inc.
- 2009-28: Awarding a $212,600 contract to Reliance Mechanical LLC of Cleveland for plumbing trades. About 20 percent of the work, or
$217,000, will go to two Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) – Cook Paving and US Communications.
- 2009-29: Awarding a $194,000 contract to E.B. Katz Inc. of Cleveland for HVAC trades. About 20 percent of the work, or $39,000, will go to
a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) – the East-West Construction Co., Inc.
Background
On Sept. 7, 2007, design plans were approved by two key city groups -- the City Planning Commission and Design Review Commission.
The design was developed by DeWolff Partnership Architects, with input from the Bellaire Puritas Development Corp. and the Kamm’s Corners
Development Corp. Construction will totally replace the existing station. Features include:
- A 2,500-square foot main entrance building with a brick grand foyer and a rounded portico outlined in sandstone.
- A 30-foot tower that houses two elevators for ADA access.
- A 130-foot bridge that brings passengers over the Rapid tracks to the boarding platform.
- A smaller, secondary entrance on the residential West 154th Street.
- New signage, and a new parking lot.
In 1966, the Puritas station was built on approximately 6 acres of land near the I-71 exit to W. 150th Street. The site includes 558 parking
spaces. Some RTA land is leased to the National City Bank (now PNC) operations center and La Quinta Inn.
About 900 people board there daily, placing the station as one of RTA’s top five for Red Line ridership. The station is served by the
#70, #78, and
#809 routes. The station will remain open throughout construction. Ridership is expected to increase when construction on the Inner Belt
begins.
Public Art
Also new to the Puritas station will be the addition of public art, to increase use of the transit system by making it look more attractive
and to make a positive contribution to the quality of life in the neighborhood.
RTA’s Arts in Transit Committee reviewed the art proposals and the selection of artists. In a local and national search, 23 artists replied.
The artists were reviewed on the basis of experience and reputation, and the art was evaluated on the criteria of attractiveness, boldness,
durability, feasibility, maintenance, and response to the goal and objectives of the committee.
Four artists were selected to produce "featured" and "functional" art.
One, an internationally renowned local artist and sculptor, was Dr. Murphy Ajayi. An award-winning teacher and lecturer, he was also the creator
and designer of the "Louis Stokes Community Visionary Award" sculpture.
Ajayi proposed a design called "Motion, Cyclones, and the Community," an outdoor mural which he said, "celebrates excellence in creativity in
all spheres of educational and community empowerment, advancement, and entrepreneurship in the neighborhood and Cleveland areas."
The proposed functional art, which is to follow the guidelines of "eclecticity, connectivity, comfort, and direction," will feature the art
of Ron Baron, William Culbertson, and Krzysztof Zudowski. It will include sculpted relief panels, clusters of sculptural lamps, and benches
featuring suitcase designs.

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