City staff has spent time in 2026 evaluating resident interest in potential streetscape and roadway improvements within the Cedar Brook subdivision. This work included two rounds of public engagement with Cedar Brook residents: an online survey followed by a public open house. Feedback received through both engagement opportunities has helped shape staff’s recommendations for potential future projects in the neighborhood.

Resident Engagement Summary

The online survey was intended to gauge resident interest in future roadway improvements and asked participants to identify the types of improvements they would most like to see. The city received 61 completed surveys. Survey results showed that most participants were open to some level of improvement within the subdivision:

• 84% of respondents said they supported or were open to improvements.
• 16% said they preferred that the streets remain as they are.                                               

Among respondents who expressed interest in improvements, the most requested items were:

• Streetlights
• Sidewalks
• Drainage improvements                                                                                                                                                   

Roadway Concepts Reviewed

Following the survey, city staff hosted a public open house where residents were able to review five roadway concepts and complete a preference worksheet. The city received 56 completed worksheets from open house participants. At the open house, residents reviewed five potential roadway concepts. Those concepts are included in the attached presentation below and represent the following:

1. No build / resurface only
2. Un-curbed improvements with a leisure trail
3. Un-curbed improvements with sidewalks
4. Curbed improvements with sidewalks
5. Curbed improvements with a leisure trail                                                                                                                                        

Feedback from the open house showed that residents did not broadly reject improvements, but opinions were divided on how extensive those improvements should be. Of the 56 completed worksheets:

• 27 indicated support for some level of improvement.
• 27 preferred resurfacing only.
• 2 indicated no preference.                                                                                                                                                                   

Among residents who supported improvements, pedestrian connectivity was a consistent priority. And 23 residents who selected a build option indicated support for a pedestrian connection, and 16 of those 23 preferred a curbed option.

Separately, 11 of the 27 residents who preferred resurfacing only also requested drainage fixes or intersection lighting.

Key Takeaways

Overall, residents were split on how far the city should go with potential improvements. However, several areas of general agreement emerged:

• Repaving is needed.
• Drainage issues should be addressed.
• No new road connections should be added.
• Streetlights, if added, should be limited to intersections.                                                       

Cedar Brook Drive was the one street where feedback showed a clear consensus. All eight Cedar Brook Drive residents who participated selected a build option that included either a sidewalk or leisure trail.

Cedar Brook Drive is the primary roadway connecting the subdivision to Central College Road. It is the only way in and out of the neighborhood and also serves the neighborhood bus stop.

Potential Pedestrian Connection

One improvement under consideration is a potential future pedestrian connection along Cedar Brook Drive. This connection would help link the neighborhood more directly with the existing leisure trail network and improve pedestrian access between Central College Road and Walton Parkway.

This concept also aligns with previously identified city priorities, including a short-term priority in the US-62 Interchange Focus Area Plan: improving pedestrian connectivity between Central College Road and Walton Parkway.

Proposed Next Steps

Based on the engagement results, staff is proposing a drainage and pedestrian connectivity study in 2027. The study would evaluate potential stormwater drainage improvements and the feasibility of a pedestrian connection along Cedar Brook Drive. Depending on the outcome of that study, design and construction of potential subdivision improvements could follow in 2028. Potential improvements may include stormwater drainage upgrades and a pedestrian connection along Cedar Brook Drive.

City Council Review and Budget Process

Staff presented these recommendations to City Council during the September 15^th Capital Improvement Projects Budget Workshop. The recommendations will continue to be evaluated as part of the city’s 2027 budget process later this year. If you have any questions, please contact Chelsea Nichols at cnichols@newalbanyohio.org