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Lakewood Residents,
As we enter the spring months, the City's calendar is beginning to fill up with our usual lineup of projects, activities, and events. In this issue of the newsletter, we talk about some of what's to come in 2026.
First, two long-anticipated infrastructure projects will soon begin: one on the west end of Clifton Boulevard and the other on Bunts Road. My administration continues to work on improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, and both of these projects will be instrumental in providing all travelers with a safer way to get from place to place. The Bunts Road project will also see significant improvements to the City's water and sewer infrastructure beneath the road surface.
In the spirit of beautifying the city and improving residents' quality of life, the Planning Department is coordinating two public art initiatives in 2026. Learn more about these opportunities and how to submit your proposals below.
Also in this issue:
- The Mayor's Corner article discusses Lakewood's tree canopy and stewardship;
- A feature on our Summer Sprinkling Program designed to help homeowners save money on their water bills during the summer months;
- Seeking applications for two advisory boards with open positions;
- An update on the Lakewood Police Department's ongoing outreach and engagement efforts with their upcoming Cinema With a Cop event;
- Lakewood Fire's annual Fire and Ice Hockey event.
Finally, I want to publicly thank our Public Works teams for continuing to work hard all through the winter, dealing with snow, ice, and the resulting water main breaks that have occurred in the last few weeks. We are grateful for your efforts to keep our city running smoothly!
Mayor Meghan F. George
| | March 2026 Events Calendar | |
Mon., March 2
H2O Read Across Lakewood
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Cove Community Center
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Mon., March 2
City Council Meeting
7:30 PM
City Hall Auditorium
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Tue., March 3
Coffee With A Vet
9:00 - 11:00 AM
Cove Community Center
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Wed., March 4
Community Meal
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Cove Community Center
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Sun., March 8
Car Seat Fit Stop
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fire Station #1
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Fri., March 13
Cinema With A Cop
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Cove Community Center
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Mon., March 16
City Council Meeting
7:30 PM
City Hall Auditorium
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Sat., March 14
Fire and Ice Charity Hockey Game
6:00 PM
Hamilton Ice Arena (Rocky River)
| | | Click below to view the City of Lakewood's full events calendar. | |
FirstEnergy Customers To Receive Credits As Part Of PUCO Settlement
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved a $275 million settlement with FirstEnergy, concluding the HB6 investigations and returning restitution directly to customers.
For more than eight years, NOPEC, working alongside the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC), held FirstEnergy accountable for HB6-related violations. This significant settlement reflects NOPEC’s long-standing advocacy for Ohio residents and communities over its 25-year history.
What this means for Lakewood:
- Residential bill credits: Typical customers will receive approximately $65.61 in bill credits (based on 1,000 kWh/month) over three consecutive months.
- Support for vulnerable residents: $20 million will fund low-income bill assistance, weatherization, and energy-efficiency programs.
- Timing: Bill credits are expected to begin appearing on electric bills in February 2026.
You can read more on the details of this settlement on PUCO’s website.
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Mayor's Corner: City Of Lakewood Continues Tradition Of Tree Stewardship
The City of Lakewood recently received news that our community has once again been given official Tree City USA status by the Arbor Day Foundation. This is the 50th year of the Tree City USA program, which is dedicated to raising awareness of the value of trees, setting foundational tree standards, and celebrating community improvement in tree stewardship. To achieve Tree City USA status, a municipality must have: 1). A tree board or forestry department; 2). A tree-care ordinance; 3). An annual budget of $2 per capita for trees; and 4). An Arbor Day Celebration. Lakewood has maintained these standards for decades.
Lakewood has received Tree City USA for 48 consecutive years – the second longest streak in the State of Ohio (Springfield has us beat by just one year). Our city has a long-standing commitment to building, maintaining, and continuously restoring our tree canopy. We know the importance of trees to our collective health and quality of life. Lakewood’s trees make our city lush and green, make our air cleaner, and help keep us cool on hot days while limiting the effects of climate change. We are all grateful to the past generations who have cared for and continued to build Lakewood’s beautiful and diverse tree canopy, and we are committed to doing our part to keep that tradition alive.
To ensure that our Lakewood trees continue to thrive, the City of Lakewood created our Tree Action Plan in 2022 and has been persistent in implementing the plan since its adoption. The plan includes goals and strategies to achieve tree health, species diversity, and canopy coverage. In 2025, we once again planted over 400 new trees on city property and rights of way, and those included 40 different species of trees. The Forestry Division of our Public Works Department also dedicates significant time to keeping our existing trees healthy through proper trimming and pruning and root invigoration.
To support the City’s efforts on trees, we continue to seek outside support. This past year we once again were awarded a $50,000 Cuyahoga County Healthy Urban Tree Canopy Grant. In years past, we have also successfully sought and obtained tree grants from Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). We use these outside dollars to augment our city budget, which always includes specific funds dedicated to tree work.
The City also encourages and supports tree planting by homeowners in their private yard. Our annual tree giveaway program has provided hundreds of trees to Lakewood residents to increase tree presence in nonpublic property. The giveaway is implemented in partnership with the dedicated volunteers on our Tree Advisory and Education Board, who also provide insights to the City on urban tree policies and practices and promote and educate residents on the importance and benefits of trees for our community and beyond. I also want to thank the Healthy Lakewood Foundation for its support of the tree giveaway, which has allowed us to grow the program.
Lakewood has always been known for our tremendous tree canopy. I am grateful for the efforts of our city employees, our volunteers, and our homeowners to continue this tradition and keep our trees healthy and growing for generations to come.
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Lakewood Introduces Two New Public Art Opportunities For 2026
In 2026, Lakewood's Spectacular Vernacular Public Art program will feature two opportunities for artists to bring their creative flair to the city.
New Installation on Madison Ave.
The first request for proposals is for a new installation at 13359 Madison Avenue. The mural currently in place has deteriorated and is due for a refresh. The city is accepting proposals that are two-dimensional, three-dimensional, incorporate lighting elements, and any additional pieces that can be installed onto a flat surface!
Proposals for this project are due by 12:00 PM on March 13, 2026.
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"Birds of Birdtown" Street Sign Sculptures
The second public art opportunity is for the design, fabrication, and installation of three-dimensional bird statues, sculptures, or figures to be placed atop street signs at intersections within the Birdtown neighborhood. Since most of the streets in the area are named for birds, the statues should correspond to the street names.
Proposals for this project are due by 12:00 PM on March 13, 2026.
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Two Transformative Infrastructure Projects Set to Begin in Lakewood
Major infrastructure projects are set begin construction in the spring of 2026: the Lake-Clifton Connector project and the Bunts Road Rehabilitation Project.
Lake-Clifton Connector
The stretch of Clifton and Lake Roads between Webb Ave. in Lakewood and Linda St. in Rocky River will undergo a complete overhaul aimed at increasing safety for travelers of all methods and types. Currently, this portion of road features segments of six-lane road on Clifton, four-lane road on the bridge over the river, as well as two-lane road with on-street, buffered bicycle lanes.
The new layout will feature the following changes:
- Reduction in vehicle lanes from four to two across the bridge;
- Addition of a separated shared-use path to replace the on-road buffered bike lanes currently in place;
- A roundabout at the intersection of Lake Rd. and Clifton Blvd.;
- Increased number of trees and green space; and
- Improved pedestrian crossings and Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFBs).
This project begins in 2026 after nearly five years of planning and input from Cuyahoga County and local partners. Additional resources and links can be found below.
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Bunts Road Rehabilitation Project
The Bunts Road Rehabilitation Project is scheduled to break ground in mid-to late April of this year. The Bunts corridor will receive:
- A brand new storm sewer system designed according to modern standards;
- A new water main and water supply lines to homes;
- Repaved and redesigned roadway, sidewalks, parking lane; and
- A shared-use path along the west side of the street.
Other additions include new decorative street lighting and an increase in green space and tree plantings once the project is complete.
These improvements will increase safety for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, as well as a needed update to the street's water and sewer infrastructure in alignment with the City's Integrated Wet Weather Improvement Plan (IWWIP).
The City's Engineering and Construction Division will offer a virtual presentation recording for residents in the coming weeks, and the project's tree removals (which are required for the new storm sewer system) will take place in March. Phase One (beginning 2026) of the project stretches from Lakewood Heights Blvd. to Franklin Blvd., and Phase Two (beginning 2027) will span from Franklin Blvd. to Clifton Blvd.
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Summer Sprinkling Program Offers Water Bill Relief
Attention Lakewood homeowners! As we look forward to warmer weather, the City of Lakewood is once again offering the Summer Sprinkling Program to help lower your utility costs during the peak of the season.
How It Works
During June, July, August, and September, participating homeowners can save on sewer charges. Your sewer bill for these months will be capped based on your average usage from January through April.
This means extra water used for summer activities such as watering your garden, washing the car, or filling a pool won't be factored into your sewer costs, since that water doesn't enter the city's sewer system.
Do You Qualify?
To participate, you must meet the following criteria:
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Property Type: You own a home with one to four family units.
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Residency: You currently live on the property and have resided there since at least January 1.
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Account Status: Your utility billing account must be in good standing.
Don’t Miss the Deadline
Applications for the Summer Sprinkling Program must be submitted by April 30th.
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City of Lakewood Seeks Volunteers For Two Advisory Boards
The City of Lakewood is seeking volunteers to serve on the Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council (CRAHC) and the Local Board of Tax Review.
The CRAHC is an advisory board that helps to evaluate the performance of the City’s Community Reinvestment Areas and the Local Board of Tax Review hears appeals from taxpayers appealing their income tax obligations to the City.
Read more about each of these advisory boards by clicking the button below.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified individuals should submit an application through our online Application Form and include any cover letters, résumés, or other supporting materials they wish to be considered.
Please contact the Clerk of Council at Council@lakewoodoh.gov or the Mayor’s Office at Mayor@lakewoodoh.gov with any questions regarding the application process.
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Neighborhood Officers to Host Cinema With A Cop Event March 13
Following their successful Badges and Bingo night, The Lakewood Neighborhood Officers continue their series of outreach events with Cinema With A Cop. This activity will take place beginning at 4 PM, March 13 at Cove Community Center. The officers will present a screening of Zootopia (PG), and will provide free popcorn.
"We know that many Lakewood residents are unable to attend our Coffee With A Cop events which usually take place during the work/school day, so these new activities are designed to reach a broader audience of families, kids, and residents of all ages," said Officer Melissa Mazor.
The Neighborhood Officers are also planning a second annual ice skating event in May, and can be seen greeting attendees at most of Lakewood's festivals including Meet The Trucks, Lakewood Community Fest, Light Up Lakewood, and more.
| | Lakewood Fire Department to Play in "Fire and Ice' Charity Hockey Event | | |
The fourth annual Fire and Ice charity hockey event will take place Saturday March 14, 2026. Due to the construction at Winterhurst, this year's event will take place at Rocky River's Hamilton Ice Arena (21018 Hilliard Blvd.).
The event pits Lakewood Firefighters up against Lakewood High School alumni in an exhibition hockey game starting at 6 PM. Additionally, an Open Skate will be held from 4 PM to 5:30 PM, and a 50/50 raffle drawing, sideboards, and raffle baskets are available.
Proceeds from the event will go toward The Andregg Foundation in support of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program, C.H.A.M.P.S. program, and M.I.L.E.S. program.
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Save The Date: Spring 2026 Tree Giveaway
The 2026 Spring Tree Giveaway will take place Wednesday, April 8. This date is when Lakewood residents can log on to https://get.arborday.org/lakewoodoh and reserve a tree to plant on their private property.
The tree pickup event will take place at a later date.
Since the Giveaway's launch in the Spring of 2024, the City of Lakewood has partnered with the Tree Advisory and Education Board to provide over 400 new trees to residents.
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