Collinwood Observation Deck

Historically Collinwood is a community that was built up around various forms of rail transportation. The great passenger trains would stop here to leave off passengers and switch locomotives before they went to the Terminal Tower station. The streetcar defined how the retail district was laid out and a streetcar brought Clevelander's to a well know amusement park on the lake. Collinwood is a place where we need to and where it is possible to live without a car. You just need to have some basic transportation options. If Grandma wants to go to the doctor the circulator makes her independent. People who ride the circulators are people who shop and participate locally. We all know how much it cost to own a car. Many people are makeing basic choices between a car, food, books, and health care. During the day students and the elderly depend on the circulators. Community circulators contribute to the disposable income of the community. The money they save contributes to the vitality of both the individual and the retail district. Cars and the highway system encourage people to leave Collinwood with their money. Community circulators keeps the money circulating in the community. Community Circulators are an essential part of Collinwood.

The writing is on the wall, the communities that have a vibrant urban commercial / retail district with multimodal connections are going to be the choice communities in a $12 a gallon of gas, carbon taxed future. We need a transportation plan that addresses the needs of Collinwood now and in the future. Where will Collinwood be in 2019? Your thoughts?