MEDINA, Ohio — Medina is taking another step toward improving public pedestrian safety on the city’s public square for people like Gina Garapic, who said she almost saw an accident Monday.

But before any changes can begin, community input must be sought.

“As we were sitting there, we saw two ladies crossing the street and cars were coming towards them, the light was flashing and people weren’t even stopping,” said Medina resident Gina Garapic.

In September, News 5 spoke with Medina City Council President John Coyne after council members passed legislation requesting grants to make several improvements, including adding bumps to extend the sidewalk and shorten the pedestrian crossing each time you pass through the square.

Medina City Council seeks grants to improve pedestrian safety in popular neighborhood

RELATED: Medina City Council seeks grants to improve pedestrian safety in popular neighborhood

This comes after News 5 reported several incidents of people being hit by cars in Medina’s public square.

Among them is the most recent incident that occurred in March 2024, when body camera footage from the Medina Police Department showed the moment when car hits John McKay’s 9-year-old son as boy walks to school.

“Receiving a phone call that my son had just been hit by a car was probably one of the hardest calls I received,” McKay said in September 2024.

Since then, Medina Police told News 5 in an email that there have been two incidents where pedestrians were struck around Medina Square.

Coyne said that further motivated council members to seek safety funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation, which they received more quickly than expected.

“You want to make sure you provide the safest environment possible because the plaza is a busy plaza,” Coyne said.

Although the $1.8 million project is not expected to start until April 2026, City Engineer Patrick Patton said there is already a rendering and plans on the city’s website to resurface Court Street from Lafayette Street, in addition to making improvements such as sidewalk repairs, ADA facility upgrades and signal modifications for pedestrian buttons.

Also included are the removals, which cost $500,000.

“I’m glad to hear that they’re doing something to try to improve security around the place,” Garapic said.

In a text message, McKay said he thought the bumps could slow down traffic. Still, he said it doesn’t actually make them more aware, so he encourages drivers to focus on the road and pedestrians around them.

“We know this won’t solve the problem. I think it will be a big improvement and advantage,” Patton said.

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