Beechmont & Mears Intersection Improvement Project
Updated 9/25/25
In 2024, the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation (MWCDC) submitted a major Neighborhood Business District Improvement Program (NBDIP) application in coordination with the City’s Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The project focuses on the intersection of Beechmont Avenue and Mears Avenue—an area identified as both a safety concern and a critical gateway to our business district.
This initiative has two primary goals:
Improve Safety – Redesign a challenging intersection that has been on DOTE’s radar for more than 15 years to make it safer for both pedestrians and drivers.
Revitalize a Key Property – Activate a long-vacant site at the southern entrance to the Mt. Washington business district, creating a more welcoming and vibrant gateway for residents and visitors.
The property at Beechmont and Mears has been vacant for over 20 years. Previously owned by an outside corporation with little interest in Mt. Washington’s future, the site has been a missed opportunity at a highly visible neighborhood entrance. While several businesses expressed interest over the years, the intersection’s layout made it difficult to attract tenants.
Recently, a local developer purchased the property and is working closely with both DCED and DOTE to make change possible. The new owner has committed to dedicating a significant portion of land to support intersection improvements—an important step forward for both safety and economic vitality.
The need for improvements at Beechmont and Mears has been long recognized. In fact, the intersection was highlighted in a 2015 Traffic Study commissioned by Mt. Washington Community Council through an earlier NBDIP grant. With new momentum, community partnerships, and local ownership, this project is now positioned to deliver real, lasting benefits to Mt. Washington.
Stay Updated: MWCDC will continue to share updates as the project progresses. Together, we can transform the Beechmont & Mears intersection into a safer, more vibrant gateway for our neighborhood.