Updated Aug. 22, 2010
Construction continues on a new facility at the Puritas-West 150th Street Red Line Rapid Station. The station, at 4200 W. 150th St., should be completed by early 2011.
Ground was broken on May 27, 2009.
Much of the $9.54 million project is being 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.
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.
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.
