LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Earlier this month city officials held their first public meeting seeking residential input regarding the future of the Detroit Avenue and Sloane Avenue intersection. Lakewood City Planner Katelyn Milius said the entire project is still in its infancy.

"There's not a set project, so we're trying to get some feedback from the community," Milius said. "We're also planning on applying for Cuyahoga County grants this cycle to do some streetscape improvements for that west-end entrance to our city.

"Then potentially some pedestrian improvements as well to improve the entrance to the Metroparks that so many people use. Also, people come out of the Metroparks into the business district so (we want to make) it a little bit friendlier for them. We'll be doing a traffic study to see what's possible there."

Lakewood Mayor Mike Summers said the city is reaching out to different partners regarding objectives and designs.

"The city of Lakewood jointly with Cleveland Metroparks, The Beck Center and The Lakewood Historical Society are seeking a Cuyahoga County Grant that would improve access to the Metroparks and celebrate the historic role the end of the old street car system played in the development of Lakewood and the Westshore," Summers said.

"Also, (this would) welcome visitors to Lakewood's west end and improve safety for pedestrian and bike users."

At the Nov. 3 public meeting, Milius said roughly 30 residents talked about the difficulty of crossing the street at the intersection. Also on the table is new signage to enhance the area.

Any future work on the intersection is expected to be completed in phases. That includes more aesthetic changes if the Cuyahoga County grant money comes through next year, as well as the repaving the intersection a few years out.

The city had residents fill out surveys regarding their opinion and needs for the intersection.

"I may be posting this survey to allow more people to comment on it," Milius said. "We're expecting another public meeting in early 2018."