Cleveland Heights is seeing a lot of exciting development taking shape: the Cedar-Lee Meadowbrook project will be breaking ground soon, and the Taylor District proposed development promises an injection of new life and vitality there. But development includes a lot more than just new construction projects, and our City government’s development agenda must look at the full spectrum of development and make sure that all areas of Cleveland Heights are getting the kind and extent of development they need.

I want to see all of our city’s business districts improve and become thriving places where people can get the goods and services they need, enjoy time spent in the business districts, and build community. I support programs to support women- and minority-owned businesses, and I will support incentives for commercial landlords to maintain and lease their properties.

Our City needs to make a goal to eliminate all abandoned housing and vacant lots through a multi-faceted approach, including renovation programs, in-fill housing, neighborhood repair programs, holding investor-landlords accountable for negligence of their rental properties (see Code Enforcement), tenant-landlord education programs, and more.

We are currently taking steps toward demolishing the Old Dairy.  Once that is done, the City will need to relocate the Salt barn and the yard waste, because this is a prime site for a mixed-use residential and retail development that will invigorate this neighborhood and invite people to look at homes and apartments within walking distance of the development. I will advocate for cleanup of the Old Dairy site and development that will create a vibrant, thriving neighborhood for current and future residents.