Northwood News ♦ February 2002

Route 29 Sidewalks Update

Last year the NFCCA notified the County that it supported proposed sidewalks along both sides of Colesville Road between Lorain Avenue and Burnt Mills Avenue, with provisions.  Our concerns centered on avoiding the use of ugly plain concrete retaining walls and we urged that alternatives be considered, along with the use of native plantings, that would complement the wooded character of the site and the Green Boulevard concepts of the Legacy Open Space program.

After months of silence from the County, we finally received a response from Douglas Duncan.  He reports that, because of the desire to limit the removal and replacement of soil and vegetation, and to decrease encroachment on private properties, concrete soldier pile walls must be used in more locations than first planned.  Facing can be added to soften the look of the wall.

The County has proceeded beyond the concept plans reviewed by the NFCCA and gone ahead with preliminary plans for both sides.  However, because of funding limitations, final designs will be done for the east side of the road only.  Completion of the design of the west side and the construction of the sidewalks on both sides will depend on future funding.   ■