Easements Proposed for Big Creek Storage Tunnel Project at Emery and Estabrook Parks
The City of Cleveland is considering an emergency ordinance, Ord. No. 688-2026, to grant the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) easement rights at Emery Park and Estabrook Park. These easements are intended to support the Big Creek Storage Tunnel (BCT) project, a component of the $3 billion "Project Clean Lake" initiative designed to help meet Clean Water Act standards by reducing combined sewer overflows into local waterways and Lake Erie.
What's in the file
The ordinance authorizes the Director of Parks and Recreation to sell permanent and temporary easements to the NEORSD for a total appraised value of $276,800 688-2026 Legislative Summary. The BCT project involves constructing approximately four miles of 20-foot diameter tunnel in rock, situated 50 to 100 feet beneath Cleveland, Linndale, and Brooklyn.
The proposed work includes the following site-specific details:
- Emery Park: NEORSD will construct a tunnel shaft (BCT-6) approximately 70 feet below ground at the north end of the park. While contractors may occupy portions of the park's greenspace, basketball courts, playgrounds, and parking lots will not be affected. Acoustical fencing will be used to reduce noise. Additionally, a future project known as BCSO-3 will require permanent easements for maintenance and inspection following the BCT construction 688-2026 Legislative Summary 688-2026- BCT Location Map Project Overview.
- Estabrook Park: A tunnel shaft (BCT-3) will be built approximately 50 feet below ground at the northwest corner of the park. Construction will require the temporary relocation of the path leading to the playground and ballfield. The city plans to replace all disturbed trees and restore the path upon project completion 688-2026 Legislative Summary 688-2026- BCT Location Map Project Overview.
The project is expected to reduce annual sewage overflows into Big Creek and its tributaries by 550 million gallons.
Who may be affected
The ordinance names the following groups and areas:
- Ward 11 and Ward 13: Residents in these areas served by Council Member Nikki Hudson and Councilman Brian Kazy 688-2026 Legislative Summary.
- Department of Parks and Recreation: Responsible for executing the deeds and coordinating site restoration 688-2026 Legislative Summary.
- Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District: The entity receiving the easement rights for project construction and maintenance 688-2026 Legislative Summary.
Status and timeline
The ordinance was introduced on May 28, 2026, and is currently "Agenda Ready." It has been referred to the Municipal Services and Properties Committee.
Residents can verify these details and track the progress of the legislation through the official City of Cleveland legislative record.
Source record
- File
- 688-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- Agenda Ready
- Committee
- Municipal Services and Properties Committee
- Introduced
- May 27, 2026