Industry Items of Interest

Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference Coming to Cleveland in October  The issues of vacancy, abandonment and foreclosure have had a profound effect on the well-being of the nation's neighborhoods and residents.  These negative forces have mobilized community development professionals, policymakers, and others in Cleveland and around the country to develop innovative efforts to turn the tide and fight for our neighborhoods. 
The national conference, Reclaiming Vacant Properties: The Intersection of Sustainability, Revitalization and Policy Reform is a national resource in the effort to help cities and towns develop comprehensive approaches to address this growing problem.  Cleveland is fortunate to have been selected as the host city for this year's conference which is from October 13-15th.  The nation's leading vacant property reclamation experts will come together at the conference in Cleveland to share the best practices, innovations and resources. 
This year's conference in Cleveland provides a remarkable opportunity for you to join hundreds of your peers from communities across the country to learn about the policies, tools and strategies to catalyze long-term, sustainable revitalization.  More than just a learning opportunity, you' ll be able to share your experiences and insights and become part of the only national network focused on building the knowledge, leadership and momentum to reclaim vacant and abondoned properties to foster thriving neighborhoods.
Frank Ford, Senior VP for Research & Development at Neighborhood Progress, Inc., stated:  "It's a great honor for Cleveland to be selected to host this national event; it's also an incredible opportunity to showcase the innovative work we're doing, while learning from others doing groundbreaking work around the country."
This year's conference is bigger than ever - you'll be able to choose from 40 sessions that focus on such issues as restoring neighborhood confidence, sustainable reuse of vacant land and buildings, state and federal policy and approaches to acquire and dispose of foreclosed property.  It also features mobile workshops that introduce participants to some of Cleveland's most successful revitalization efforts and the community and city leaders who made them happen.  The conference is sponsored by the Center for Community Progress (www.communityprogress.net), with principal planning partner Neighborhood Progress, Inc. (www.neighborhoodprogress.org), and an impressive local host committee.
The conference will take place at the historic Renaissance Cleveland Hotel.  Register now so you don't miss the early registration discounted rate for the conference - available through August 31st.  For more information about the Reclaiming Vacant Properties conference and to register, visit www.reclaimingvacantproperties.org. 
 

The Y Achievers Program Reaches into the Heart of the Community   The YMCA Achievers program brings leaders and teens together to help the young of our community set goals for higher education and career goals.  By recognizing and utilizing the talents of leaders who are successful in their careers, the YMCA Achievers program brings a much needed positive influence into the lives of young people.  The Achievers program strongly incorporates the building of abundant assets.  Some of the program goals and objectives are:  help youth develop a positive sense of self, raise academic standards for youth, build character, provide role models and create channels for continuing community involvement.  Activities include career cluster meetings, career awareness programs, shadowing  - World of Work Experience, career fair, tutoring, ACT and SAT prep, community service projects and much more.  A recruiting event is scheduled for Saturday, August 28th.  To find out more about this exciting program contact Malik Moore at 216-263-6294 or by email at mmoore@clevelandymca.org 
 

 Member News

PlayhouseSquare Receives Coveted National Award  The League of Historic American Theatres has presented its 2010 Outstanding Historic Theatre Award to PlayhouseSquare. James Boese, League President acknowledged the organization's significant accomplishments, inspiring excellence in the preservation, restoration and sustainable operation of American historic theatres.  As the nation's largest theatre restoration project and a leader in Cleveland's arts and culture and economic development sectors, PlayhouseSquare is distinctive in its rich history and dedication to continual improvement of its community. 
The League of Historic American Theatres, founded in 1976, is a non-proft association dedicated to sustaining America's historic theatres for the benefit of their communities and future generations. 
Congratulations to PlayhouseSquare for receiving this prestigious honor.

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Maingate Market Place Closer to Reality  The intersection of East 55th Street and Woodland Avenue is one of the busiest intersections in Cleveland.  Maingate Business Development would like to sprout something more healthier and more appealing than asphalt and concrete.  Conceived as the gateway to the large but little-noticed cluster of food wholesaling businesses in the area, the Maingate Market Place would be the East Side's answer to the West Side Market.  It would bring fresh food to low income neighborhoods in the area while giving a non-descript part of the city a far more prominent place on the mental map of the region.  Michael May, Executive Director of Maingate Business Development Corporation has said "the market could be the front door to the neighborhood and draw folks from all of Northeast Ohio."  Conceptual plans call for a 50,000 square foot open-air farmers market on five acres of city-owned land, with an arcade leading to a pair of restaurants, speciality food shops and a greenhouse.  Plans also call for a year-round public market built in an old office and factory that in the 1930's was home to General Electric. 
In total the project would encompass more than 10 acres of property and over 270,000 square feet of construction.  The concept is receiving strong support from city officials, neighbors and foundations.  In March, the Cleveland Planning Commission enthusiastically approved the market.  For more information about the market, visit www.maingatecleveland.org 

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Cogswell Hall chosen as Finalist for Nation's Best Affordable Housing Developments  
Congratulations to Detroit Shoreway Community Development Corporation and Cogswell Hall as they are one of 33 finalists for the annual Reader's Choice Awards in Affordable Housing Finance Magazine.  Cogswell Hall is a finalist in the Historic Rehab category. 
Cogswell Hall was founded as a "Home for Friendless Girls" in 1914 and has expanded to serve senior citizens and with this renovation has now doubled its size with 40 small studio apartments.  With this expansion, Cogswell Hall can now accomodate males and females along with the low and very low income population who can take advantage of Cogswell's many supportive housing services.   Major funders for this project were Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, City of Cleveland Housing Trust Fund, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, The Cleveland Foundation and Enterprise Green Communities.  To vote and see what the other 32 finalists have developed in their cities, visit www.housingfinance.com.  Deadline to vote is Friday, August 13th.

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Uptown Project Breaks Ground in University Circle  The $300 million Uptown Project is finally coming to reality and is no longer just a dream.  Uptown is the result of nearly a decade of planning by University Circle, Inc. and Case Western Reserve University.  Parking lots edged by drab retail buildings from the early 1980's will be replaced over the next five years or so by midrise apartments and condominiums on the north and south sides of Euclid Avenue just east of Mayfield Road and Ford Drive.  On both sides of the street, the buildings will have retail shops and restaurants on their ground floors, with airy, 17-20 foot ceilings and a variety of outdoor spaces geared to al fresco dining and cultural events.  The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) also is building a new home for itself at the tip of the Euclid-Mayfield Triangle, marking the western entry into the district.  The Uptown District will also be home to the expansion of the Cleveland's Institute of Art's Joseph McCullogh Center for the Visual Arts and a $9 million rapid transit station that will serve as the gateway to Uptown and all of University Circle including Little Italy.  Uptown differs from other projects because the roster of leading architects is very strong and so much talent is working on so many buildings in a single development.  For more information on the Uptown District, contact info@uptowncleveland.com