Shaker Boulevard named one of nation's top streets | News

Shaker Boulevard was named one of the top 10 Great Streets in the country by the American Planning Association.

The Great Streets are part of the Great Places in America program. Shaker Boulevard was selected for its design, multi-modal transportation options, engaged citizens who fought to preserve the street's integrity and surrounding community uses. The 6.75-mile road runs between Cleveland and I-271 in Beachwood.

"It is indeed an honor that Shaker Bouelvard, one of Cleveland's many revitalized areas, has been designated as one of America's Great Streets," Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson said.

Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken said, "The 2012 APA designation of Shaker Boulevard as a Great Street is especially fitting in the City of Shaker’s centennial year. The boulevard reflects the best of our city’s unique characteristics – light rail transit, lush, tree-lined streets, and grand homes built during the apex of American architecture.”

Beachwood Mayor Merle S. Gorden said, “Shaker Boulevard continues to be a vital and efficient connecting route that promotes regionalism and economic growth within the cities of Beachwood, Shaker Heights and Cleveland. In addition to its economic attributes, Shaker Boulevard is also aesthetically pleasing and contributes greatly to the allure and great urban vibe of this part of Greater Cleveland.”

The nine other APA 2012 Great Streets are: Duval Street, Key West, Fla.; Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo; Main Street, Bozeman, Mont.; Broadway, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; Fifth Avenue, New York City, N.Y.; Wall Street, Kingston, N.Y.; Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Broad Street, Charleston, S.C.; and Gay Street, Knoxville, Tenn.