Hi ████,

Thanks for getting in touch. I know this is an important topic for you and I’m happy to provide an update and share my own thoughts.

The Safety Committee has met every month since November 2024 (except for a spring break in March) and will meet again on June 23 at 6:30 pm. Our main focus during this time has been reviewing the Downtown Traffic and Safety Study prepared by the village engineer. Our purpose is to arrive at a set of specific recommendations – including anything from crosswalk markings to traffic pattern changes to entirely new signal equipment – to be presented to council and, in turn, the village administration. Our immediate focus is on those changes that can be implemented in conjunction with the repaving of downtown that will occur when the bridge project is complete in early 2026.

The mid-block crosswalks to Triangle Park on Main and Franklin have been a committee priority and the subject of much discussion. I expect that at the June meeting we will finalize a list of recommendations that includes improved pavement markings, new painted yield lines 20′ in advance of the crosswalks, permanently removed parking spaces for improved visibility, and curb extensions at all four entrances. This will bring the curb ramp out to the edge of the parking lane, as well as prevent vehicles from stopping illegally in or too close to the crosswalk and blocking the view. You can see the preliminary plans in Chagrin Falls Downtown Safety Exhibits (p. 4).

We have two items on the agenda: a new rule requested by the Police Department that would prohibit all non-see-through bags 7 by 10 inches or larger from being brought into Riverside Park during Blossom, and a review of designs for curb extensions on Main and Franklin Streets at the mid-block crosswalks to Triangle Park.

Bag Safety Rule

But first a quick note about what the committee even is and how we work, because I’ve had a few folks ask: We are three members of Village Council (me, Angie DeBernardo, and Andrew Rockey) that meet on an as-needed basis to discuss safety-related topics that arise and make recommendations to Council and the village administration. We rely on input from the Village Engineer as well as the community, and our own research and experience.

When I joined the committee and was elected chair in 2023 we began to look at possible improvements to downtown crosswalks in response to persistent complaints from residents about feeling unsafe, nearly being hit, etc. With the Main Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project on the horizon, I felt like this was the ideal time to create a plan that could be put into action as the town was put back together once construction was complete.