Hello Petition Supporters,

A petition signer recently contacted the Mayor George to express their support for the petition. Below is the reply they received from the Mayor's office—we hope you find it useful:

From the Office of Mayor George:

Thank you for taking the time to write, and for sharing your thoughts after many years of living in Lakewood.

I want to respond directly to your concerns about the Bunts Road Rehabilitation Project and provide some clarity on what is being done, why, and how it's being funded.

Purpose of the Project
The Bunts Road project is not just about adding a shared-use path, it’s a full infrastructure rehabilitation. This includes:

- Complete roadway resurfacing

- New curbs and sidewalks

- Critical sewer and water infrastructure upgrades

- Improved pedestrian and bicycle access

The shared-use path is a separated, off-street facility designed for safe use by pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists of all ages. It is part of the City’s Active Transportation Plan, which aims to create safer, more accessible options for non-motorized travel throughout Lakewood.

Funding
A significant portion of the funding for this project is from external sources:

- Federal and state grants are helping cover the costs associated with the multi-modal improvements.

- The sewer work, which is long overdue, will also be funded as part of our ongoing capital improvement program.

These funds are designated specifically for roadway and transportation enhancements and cannot be redirected for other uses like general operations, schools, or unrelated infrastructure.

Trees and Sidewalks
I want to emphasize: Tree removals are not due to the shared-use path alone. Many of the trees being removed are impacted by necessary underground sewer and water system upgrades. In some cases, roots have compromised infrastructure or are too close to excavation zones for safe retention.

Where possible, we are taking steps to preserve healthy trees, and as part of our commitment to the environment, the City will be replanting more trees after construction.

Design Accuracy and Petition Imagery
I’ve seen the photo used in the petition you referenced, it is unfortunately not an accurate representation of the planned project.

To help clear up confusion, the City has posted true-to-scale renderings and additional design documents at the official project website:
www.lakewoodoh.gov/bunts

You can also find a helpful project flyer here:
https://www.lakewoodoh.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bunts-Road-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Community Input
Since April 2024, we’ve engaged with the public through:

- Mailed notices and yard signs (April 25)

- A public meeting at Lakewood High School (May 7)

- A public comment period that remained open until June 9

All plans and meeting materials have been available online, and we have received and reviewed hundreds of comments. As a result, several revisions have already been made. Including safety improvements, better driveway visibility near the high school, and use of permeable pavers in parking areas to reduce stormwater runoff.

We understand that change, especially in well-established neighborhoods, can feel disruptive. But this project is rooted in long-term investment in Lakewood’s infrastructure, public safety, and accessibility, for both today’s residents and future generations.

Thank you again for reaching out and for your longtime support of our community. I hope this helps clarify the project’s goals and planning process.

—Office of the Mayor