Partnership with Laketran, donations from local businesses yield new trash receptacles for Euclid Corridor

By Chad Felton, The News-Herald | Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Thanks to a partnership with Laketran and generous donations from Wickliffe businesses, the city has recently received 16 new concrete trash cans for its Euclid Avenue corridor.

Businesses donating to the improvement project include the Lubrizol Corp. and Parker Hannifin (Hose Products Division).

Mayor John Barbish and the Keep Wickliffe Beautiful Commission were also instrumental in the community enhancement efforts, said Patricia Fowler, city programs coordinator and program director for Keep Wickliffe Beautiful.

“This is a big benefit to Wickliffe,” Fowler added. “The cans were unsightly and damaged from years of use. Keep Wickliffe Beautiful wanted to update the cans and keep litter containment available to pedestrians in the city. We are grateful to our donors who supported our project through their generous donations. We are delighted with the opportunity to improve our main corridor in Wickliffe.”

The receptacles replace the wrought iron cans purchased in 2006 as part of the Streetscape (Euclid Avenue Redevelopment Plan) project. Keep Wickliffe Beautiful sought partnerships and donations to cover the cost of new cans.

“Partnerships like this are what helps small cities move forward,” Barbish said. “If there’s a time we can’t do something on our own, we can reach out to all these community partners and make it happen. We’re glad to have Laketran in the community, and we appreciate it.”

In partnering with Laketran, Wickliffe was able to secure federal transit enhancement funds to cover 80 percent of the cost of the 11 trash cans to soon be placed at Laketran stops along Euclid Avenue. The balance of the cost of the 16 cans was funded by donations.

“Transit amenities, including bus stops, shelters and benches, improve the safety and cleanliness of our service and the community, and makes the transit experience better for residents,” said Laketran CEO Ben Capelle.

“Plus, we often have federal grant money that can help, so it’s a win-win for both Laketran and the city. A certain percentage of our federal grant, usually about $30,000 to $40,000 a year, or 1 percent, is required to be spent on what are called ‘enhancements.’ We appreciate when cities like Wickliffe include us in the planning and implementation of streetscaping projects because all of these amenities tie into the look and access of their streets. It benefits everyone.”