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SARTA consultant gathering public feedback Canton streetcar concept

June 16, 2022

CANTON – It’s not yet clear how the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority would pay for a proposed streetcar train service between the Akron-Canton Airport, the Pro Football Hall of Fame and downtown Canton.

But SARTA’s consultant Tim Rosenberger of WSP USA and other government officials revealed more key details of how the concept has evolved since last year. They spoke at a public meeting Wednesday at the Constellation Center for Excellence in the Hall of Fame Village. More hearings are set for Thursday.

More:SARTA to hold public meetings on streetcar proposal

More:Canton, SARTA looking into light-rail train between HOF, downtown

AIRPORT OR BUST

Rosenberger said planners have opted at this point not to go with first building a streetcar between Hall of Fame and downtown Canton because the cost of the maintenance facility and other infrastructure is the same whether the line includes the airport.

Mayor Tom Bernabei, attending another meeting in the Center for Excellence said about the streetcar concept: “Excited about the possibilities. That’s the kind of connectivity we would hope for and pray for,” he said. 

PUBLIC INPUT

About 10 people attended the meeting. Many appeared to be government officials or members of the media. 

More hearings are scheduled for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday at the Stark County District Library at 715 Market Ave. N and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at SARTA’s Belden Village Transit Center at 4700 Whipple Ave. NW.

Milton Young, an advocate for people with disabilities said, “I like the concept,” but he expressed concern about how people with disabilities could get to stations with many in areas with a lack of sidewalks.

Rosenberger said it was not within the project scope to build three miles of sidewalk. But it could include improving sidewalks and crosswalks around the stations.

He said about 100 people have filled out an online survey, sharing their thoughts about the concept. Rosenberger said some believe it would improve the community.

“And there’s people who say this is insane,” he added.

Concept of train for airport, Hall of Fame, Canton evolves (cantonrep.com)