Southland District Vision

Presentations from the meetings, as well as information about the redevelopment of the Southland business district.
Click opens in a new windowhere to download the Middleburg Heights Southland District Vision Implementation Public Meeting #2: July 27, 2021.

Presentations from the meetings, as well as information about the redevelopment of the Southland business district.
Click opens in a new windowhere to download the Middleburg Heights Southland District Vision Implementation Public Meeting #1: July 7, 2021.

The City continues to move forward with transformative redevelopment initiatives. A variety of initiatives throughout the city outline specific goals while working together to improve the City of Middleburg Heights’ overall quality of life.  Last year, Middleburg Heights leadership set forth a vision to reposition the Southland District. The concepts included a reimagined Smith Road corridor that can better serve all residents, visitors, and business operators in the district.

Smith Road’s reconfiguration can provide new opportunities for on-street parking, incorporate a multi-purpose pathway that can connect to the Big Creek trail network, and support new development that lines the street. Mayor Castelli and his team have committed to further study details to best align the design with the opens in a new windowNortheast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency  funding requirements and opportunities.

“The City of Middleburg Heights recognizes the importance of advancing planning efforts towards implementation and construction. We believe this can energize private investments in the Southland District. This plan’s impact is strengthened by an alliance with NOACA’s Regional Strategic Mission Statement to strengthen, preserve, build, support and enhance our region,” says Mayor Matt Castelli.

The City’s partnership to integrate traffic and transportation planning into this work includes regional and national experts. City Architecture, planners for the 2020 Southland District Vision, will lead efforts for public engagement, design updates and grant submission preparation. They are supported by WSP, a national leader in transportation planning, with offices in Cleveland. Finally, the team is supported by TMS Engineering, a local transportation firm that will focus on existing conditions and traffic modeling. TMS Engineering and City Architecture’s familiarization with the study area is strengthened by both firms’ long-standing partnerships with the City.

Goals for the project include promoting a walkable district through strong design, integrating sustainable infrastructure (notably improved methods to treat storm water), creating opportunities for new commercial development, and incorporating appropriate residential uses which offer new living options for Middleburg Heights.

Planning and engagement activities are scheduled throughout the Summer in preparation for a Fall grant submission. The City will host three community sessions to share ideas, receive feedback, and provide status updates. Those sessions will be held at the Middleburg Heights Community Center, 16000 Bagley Road, on July 7, July 27 and August 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Updates will also be provided on the City’s webpage, Mayor’s Corner and in the opens in a new windowMiddleburg Heights Southland TLCI – Public Meeting Flyer.

“The City has been approached by several Southland District property owners – there is a real interest in investing here. The City of Middleburg Heights recognizes that changes in shopping behavior and the recent pandemic have challenged places like Southland. We also recognize that we, the City, have a unique opportunity to lead this transformation. We look forward to progressing the plan and competing for funds to energize Southland’s future,” Mayor Matt Castelli.