FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Mary Trupo
Director of Communications
mtrupo@clvhts.com
VITAL CEDAR-LEE-MEADOWBROOK DEVELOPMENT MOVES FORWARD
Cleveland Heights, OH, September 9, 2021 - The City of Cleveland Heights continues to move forward with its plans for the redevelopment of the city-owned properties located in the Cedar-Lee Business District. Revitalizing this important commercial district has long been a goal of the City and many of the neighboring business owners. Following on the City’s 2017 Master Plan and a solicitation process, a development team was chosen, led by Flaherty & Collins, and preliminary goals and designs have been established.
On Wednesday, September 1 the Planning & Development Committee of Council held a community focus group meeting on urban design and other factors of the development. Two previous community meetings focused on public spaces and connectivity, and parking and traffic. “Community engagement is central to the planning process” stated Eric Zamft, Planning Director for the City. “The community – residents, merchants, property owners, service providers, and other stakeholders – is a key partner in development of any revitalization in the Cedar-Lee District.”
In addition to the public community meetings, the City continues to solicit comments on its website at www.clevelandheights.com/clm. Central to the City moving forward with the Cedar-Lee-Meadowbrook redevelopment is the sharing of community ideas. Recognizing that not everyone is able to participate in community meetings, additional online forums have been provided to gather feedback.
Hearing from the business community is integral to the completion of this important project. Cedar-Lee neighborhood resident and owner of CLE Urban Winery in the District, Destiny Burns shared: “I am strongly in favor of the multi-use commercial development plan proposed by the City and its development partner. If you support the small businesses in Cedar-Lee, please help us survive by supporting the economic development of our district.”
COVID has hit many Cleveland Heights businesses hard and bringing new residents to the city, who will shop and dine in the many small businesses located in this and other business districts throughout the City, is imperative to the future of Cleveland Heights. “This is an exciting project for Cleveland Heights,” said City Manager Susanna Niermann O’Neil. “It will bring new residents to our community and enhance the vitality to the important Cedar-Lee commercial district. Development is about the future and we look forward to this development adding to our community.”
Councilperson Mike Ungar, Chair of the Planning & Development Committee of Council, closed this past meeting by stating: “Our City is entirely supportive of this project as a shot in the arm for Cedar-Lee. And, just like development in other parts of the City, good economic development benefits our entire city. It is my hope that this project moves quickly and thoughtfully through the approval process and towards construction and completion.”
Revitalization efforts in the Cedar-Lee district began more than 15 years ago with a large investment in the parking structure and major streetscaping. At the same time, the Cedar-Lee-Meadowbrook redevelopment site was rezoned to allow for mixed-use development. The current project will include retail space, apartments, and public spaces. With new development happening all around Northeast Ohio “now is the right time for this important project and we must move forward,” said Ungar.
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