CLEVELAND — Drive down West 25th Street in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood, and you can see the progress.
“Up to now, it's been a concept, it's been an idea, and it's been an empty warehouse,” said Jenice Contreras, the President & CEO, of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development.
Step inside, and you’ll see the possibilities.
“Now that we start seeing the walls, that we start seeing the colors that we start seeing, the plan is starting to crystallize,” said Contreras.
Last fall is when the transformation began, and is on track to open this fall. A 24-7 commercial kitchen, kiosk-style micro-retail space for multiple vendors will fill out the menu.
“Folks from Venezuela, Honduras, Dominican Republic. So, we're starting to see a nice blend of Latin flavors,” said Contreras.
Caribbean food business Hola Island Company will make this space into an empanada factory.
“So, think of your ability to watch your empanadas from beginning to end, and get to have the savory taste of your empanadas, along with a specialty grocer area in that space,” said Contreras.
Demand for space is high, double the number of applications for kiosks than the 20 available. The Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development is running a 6-week business startup program called “Neighborhood Progress,” turned competition.
“The folks that are able to develop their business plan prove their concept will ultimately get a lease or get a spot in the Centro Villa project,” said Contreras.
CentroVilla25 is a $12 million investment into the neighborhood. An additional $2 million is being raised to activate the space.
“Now we're thinking programming. Now we're thinking signage, wayfinding, marketing. All of the other elements that are going to be necessary on the programming side,” explained Contreras.
Contreras is thrilled about how corporations, non-profits, and local government have supported CentroVilla25 for a community that is often overlooked.
“I am humbled every day to get to lead this process and obviously see it to the finish line, and so we will have a lot to celebrate this year,” said Contreras.
Along with food, CetroVilla25 will be home to a business innovation center, office space and an outdoor plaza for the community to enjoy arts and culture programming.