CLEVELAND — Two months ago, the often-used parking lot in the heart of Kamm’s Corners was in a sorry state: potholes, cracks and crumbling barriers created dangerous driving and walking conditions near dozens of businesses.
Community leaders decided to do something about it - to make it a better land.
On Sunday morning, the brand new lot near the corner of West 168th and Albers Avenue was unveiled.
The improvements are more than just surface-level. Crews also built several retention cells that will catch stormwater before it gets into the sewer system. That will help keep our waterways cleaner.
"It's more than a parking lot, it's a storm-water control feature, it's part of bringing the river back,” said Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, CEO of the NEO Regional Sewer District. “We're in the 50th anniversary of the last time the Cuyahoga River caught fire, so this is a great anniversary year and this is an example of the kind of projects we need to do across the city."
By catching that stormwater, the system also prevents sewers from overflowing and flooding into businesses and homes.
The project was made possible by more than $300,000 in grants from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and the City of Cleveland.
This story is part of A Better Land , an ongoing series that investigates Northeast Ohio's deep-seated systemic problems. Additionally, it puts a spotlight on the community heroes fighting for positive change in Cleveland and throughout the region. If you have an idea for A Better Land story, tell us here .
