Residents at the Broadway Place apartments in Cleveland are raising concerns over the inadequate lighting in their parking lot, prompting City Council to consider legislation that could establish new lighting standards across the city. The proposal, led by Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer, would require minimum lighting levels for parking lots, aligning Cleveland’s standards with those already in place in cities like Columbus, Toledo, and Dayton.
The issue came to the forefront after tenants at the senior apartment complex in the Slavic Village neighborhood repeatedly voiced their frustrations. Many feel unsafe due to the dim and sometimes completely unlit parking lot, which they say has become a hotspot for crime and loitering after dark.
“I just stay in my apartment now. I won’t even come out anymore,” said Olivia Thomas, a 70-year-old resident who uses a wheelchair, highlighting the fear many tenants feel when navigating the poorly lit lot.
Councilwoman Maurer has been actively visiting Broadway Place for years, addressing various concerns from broken elevators to car break-ins. Lighting has been a frequent topic, and after hearing numerous complaints, she decided to take action. Using an illuminance meter she purchased online, Maurer measured the light levels in the lot herself. In one area, the reading was an alarming 0.04, far below acceptable standards.
“You better believe we’re gonna put pressure on your landlord to make sure he fixes these lightbulbs,” Maurer told residents during a visit last week.
The legislation Maurer is proposing would apply to parking lots with 10 or more spaces, requiring lighting levels between one and 2.5-foot candles, a common measure used in architectural and lighting design. However, the law would not be retroactive, meaning existing properties like Broadway Place would not be forced to upgrade immediately, though it would set expectations for new developments moving forward.
“I’m thinking about the next set of tenants,” Maurer explained. “The next group of seniors that are dealing with this.”
The Cleveland City Planning Commission approved the proposal on September 6, but it has yet to be scheduled for a full council hearing.
For tenants like Wealthy Gibson, 66, who moved in a year ago, the prospect of better lighting offers hope. “I love my apartment. I love the people. I just don’t like what’s going on outside,” she said.
Nick Spataro, a supervisor for United Property Management Co., the company that owns Broadway Place, acknowledged the lighting issues and said they have been working to get an electrical contractor to fix the problem, with repairs expected in the coming days.
As tenants await action from their landlord, the broader effort to improve lighting throughout Cleveland continues, with the potential for citywide change on the horizon.