Industry News

CNDC and Ohio CDC Association Collaborate on Information Session On May 20, 2010, 75 industry practioners met at Trinity Commons to learn about the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. Topics covered included the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, Housing Development Gap Financing program (HDGF), Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) operating grant program, and the 2011 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) application. For more information, please contact Nate Coffman, Executive Director of Ohio CDC Association at ncoffman@ohiocdc.org or 614-461-6392 ext. 207.

CNDC Receives Grant to Produce Energy Efficiency for Retailers Publication  Dominion Foundation has funded the production of educational materials designed to encourage neighborhood retailers and propety owners to adapt sustainable pratices in everyday operations. Patterned after the highly successful "Make Safety Your Business" brochure, the Green Subcommittee of the Retail Support Inititative anticipates distribution of the document in the summer.

Wells Fargo/Wachovia to Hold Mortgage Workshop  Wells Fargo and Wachovia mortgage customers who are facing challenges each month paying their mortgage are invited to attend a FREE mortgage workshop.  This workshop will be held on June 17th and 18th at the Cleveland Convention Center from 10 am to 7 pm.  Mortgage holders will personnally meet with a Wells Fargo representative who will confidentially discuss mortgage options and listen to their financial concerns.  Also, residents will get the opportunity to see if they are eligible for a loan modification under the government's Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP).  For more information, call 1-800-405-8067.  Registration is highly recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.  Please register by June 14th at www.wfhmevents.com/leadingthewayhome. 

Cleveland Restoration Society Assists Owners of Older and Historic Homes  The team of professionals at the Cleveland Restoration Society knows what makes older houses tick.  They can determine what improvements will increase your home's value and help you preserve its historic character.  They know which materials to use and where to find them.  They can provide technical assistance (such as historical paint colors) and provide financial assistance for those bigger projects.  The Heritage Home Program is a low-interest rehabilitation loan through Key Bank.  The rate is fixed and is typically 3% below market, and is available at terms from 5 to 12 years.  There are no out-of-pocket costs for the loan and no points.  Interest from the loan is tax deductible.  You are not required to use specific contractors, or get a minimum amount of bids.  Projects must be completed in 18 months and they will be certified upon completion.  CRS is proud to announce the following participating heritage cities:  Bay Village, Chagrin Falls, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Independence, Lakewood, Lyndhurst, Pepper Pike, Rocky River, Shaker Heights and South Euclid.  The following wards in the City of Cleveland are also partners:  Ward 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16.  For further assistance and information please visit www.clevelandrestoration.org or call 216-426-3116.

New Charter School to open in Tremont and Slavic Village  The co-founder of Entrepreneurship Preparatory School or E Prep, Marshall Emerson III, will duplicate his no-nonsense formula in two Cleveland neighborhoods this fall.  He will partner with Jason Stragand to start I CAN SCHOOLS in Tremont and Slavic Village.  I CAN SCHOOLS will operate in Tremont as Northeast Ohio Preparatory School and in Slavic Village as Cleveland College Preparatory School.  The desire is to serve more families in Cleveland and to provide students with an outstanding education.  The Mission of I CAN SCHOOLS is to prepare students for a college preparatory high school that will endure success and graduation from a four year college.  Incorporating the best practices of high performing schools, I CAN SCHOOLS offers an extended school day/year, discipline, tutoring, transportation, uniforms and free before/after care.  Students can expect 2.5 hours of homework each night.  At the same time, each child receives an individualized instructional program that's evaluated every six weeks in an attempt to continously monitor student's progress.  Students also receive report cards every two weeks.  I CAN SCHOOLS strive for one hundred percent graduation rate.  The schools in Tremont and Slavic Village are currently accepting enrollment and will have open houses every Thursday in Tremont and every Saturday in Slavic Village through August 25, 2010.  Visit their website, www.icanschools.org for open house hours and more information.  They can also be reached at 216-835-9103.

Member News

Show us Your Cleveland! Photo Contest  LiveCLEVELAND! (LC) is encouraging visitors, residents and potential residents to explore Cleveland neighborhoods and photograph the City's finest landmarks, gems and scenery.  Participants are encourages to explore city neighborhoods throughout the contest and capture the best of what Cleveland has to offer through the art of photography.  Participants are encouraged to submit photos for the following categories: (1) neighborhood life, (2) architecture/landmarks, (3) festival/events, (4) hidden gems, (5) streetscapes and (6) scenery/landscape.  Individuals may choose to submit photos for a prize in each category or submit a portfolio of six (6) photos that includes a picture from each category to be considered for the grand prize.  The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize as well as a public reception at a local galley with their photos on display.  The deadline to submit photos is August 1, 2010.  For further information, visit www.livecleveland.org/contest or call 216-781-5422.                                                                                                                             

Safeguard Properties Celebrates Twenty Years  Started in 1990 by Robert Klein as a regional preservation company, Safeguard Properties has grown to a national company providing services in 50 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. They have grown from a handful of employees to 800 nationwide.  Safeguard inspects and maintains defaulted and foreclosed properties for a wide range of clients in the mortgage industry.  They are supported by a nationwide network of subcontractors trained and qualified to perform all requested superintendence, preservation and maintenance functions anywhere around the country.  Their simple commitment is to deliver the highest quality customer service; customer service = resolution.  That is the same promise Safeguard incorporated twenty years ago and that promise has not changed.  Safeguard Properties will also be the organizing sponsor of the National Properties Preservation Conference to be held in Washington D.C. on November 14-16.  There have recently been some internal changes to the Executive Staff; Robert Klein has been named Chairman of the Board and Alan Jaffa has been named CEO.  CNDC congratulates Safeguard Properties on reaching this milestone.  Safeguard Properties is located at 7887 Safeguard Circle (Hub Parkway) in Valley View.  They can be reached at 800-852-8306 or visit their website at SafeguardProperties.com.

Northeast Shores and the Collinwood Community Celebrate the Ground Breaking of New Community Center  The much anticipated groundbreaking for the new Collinwood Community and Recreation Center took place on Saturday, May 15th with many city and state dignitaries in attendance.  The state-of-the-art, eco-friendly complex will be located on the 5-acre site of the former Big Lots/K-Mart property at 16500 Lakeshore Blvd located directly across from the old Euclid Beach Amusement Park.  The $11.9 million project will house the city's first indoor water park with a monster slide and full swimming pool, a regulation-sized basketball court, a three-lane walking/jogging track, kitchen facilities, senior center, aerobics and fitness/exercise rooms.  In addition, there will be a community room, computer center and offices for city employees.  The center will be connected by bike paths to the 32-acre Humphrey's Sports Complex.  "This facility has been a desire of this community as well as a personal dream of mine and we hope to see it bring redevelopment to the Lakeshore Boulevard commercial district," said Ward 11 Councilman Michael D. Polensek.  The project, the first LEED project of its type in Cleveland, is expected to be completed by Autumn 2011. 

St Clair Superior Celebrates the Year of the Tiger  Did you know that if your were born in the years 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 or 2010 that you are a tiger?  According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2010 is the Year of the Tiger which began with the new moon on February 14, 2010 and ends on February 2, 2011.  The Tiger is a sign of courage; this fearless and fiery fighter is revered by the ancient Chinese as the sign that wards off the three main disasters of a household:  fire, thieves and ghosts.  Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking and capable of great sympathy.  Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons and Dogs.  In celebration of the Year of the Tiger, St. Clair Superior has installed 25 fiberglass tiger sculptures painted by Northeast Ohio artists throughout the St. Clair Superior neighborhood of Cleveland.  The Year of the Tiger public art project celebrates Cleveland's AsiaTown community, St. Clair Superior's blossoming arts district and its thriving business community.  For sculpture locations and project details visit stclairsuperior.org or asiatowncleveland.com.