CLEVELAND, Ohio — Changes are coming to new parts of Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood through the expansion of a Special Improvement District (SID) program.
“We see a lot of potential for transforming the neighborhood where we’re expanding to,” says Ohio City Incorporated Director of Neighborhood Planning and Economic Development, Ashley Shaw.
The majority of property owners have agreed to an assessment on their property tax bills to fund the services which include safety, maintenance, and hospitality.
“Having ambassadors walking around, providing safety escorts, greeting people, their friendly faces, it really is to help people feel comfortable walking around and visiting the businesses.”
The additional money which Shaw says will generate about $3.2 million over five years includes additional safe ambassadors, off-duty police officers, and an upgraded surveillance system including more cameras.
The area will now move beyond the area closest to the West Side Market and expand to West 50th Street near Lorain Avenue and West 33rd Street near Detroit Avenue.
Shaw says it more than doubles the number of property owners.
“Hopefully it will help with both cleanliness and the perception of safety,” she says.
Beautification, streetscape amenities, and new landscaping are also in the budget.
Part of the expansion of services, like safe ambassadors, will begin in the spring with additional services being added this summer.