Rebuilding the Noble Business District and Neighborhoods
It’s long past due that we invest in rebuilding the Noble business district and neighborhoods. After years of decline, the area along and around Noble Road needs the Cleveland Heights government to step up and lead a coordinated, cooperative, and collaborative plan to forge a new path forward for this beloved section of our city.
The State of Noble Today
The Noble Road business district and surrounding neighborhoods have been in decline for years. There are many reasons for this, including:
Many houses need maintenance and upkeep. Out-of-town landlords are not maintaining their rental properties well; the City needs to conduct targeted code enforcement to compel owners to maintain their properties; some moderate- and lower-income residents need resources and assistance to help them make needed repairs and stay in their homes.
There are many vacant lots. These lots are largely being neglected, making neighborhoods less safe and requiring City resources to mow the grass regularly during the spring and summer months.
There are many vacant storefronts in the commercial areas. Commercial landlords are not sufficiently maintaining their properties and have difficulty finding tenants capable of paying rent that covers the landlord’s expenses, including property taxes. Small and fledgling businesses need more support and resources to help them launch, grow, and thrive.
People don’t always feel safe. Street lighting is poor or nonexistent in many areas, and the business district needs beat cops to help merchants and their customers feel protected and looked after.
The surrounding community needs a greater diversity of businesses. Residents want to see merchants providing a wide range of goods and services, both needed (quality grocery and basic household goods) and wanted (coffee shops, restaurants, local retail, and more).
The Cleveland Heights government needs to:
conduct targeted code enforcement of residential rental properties to motivate landlords to maintain them well;
devote more support and resources to moderate- and lower-income homeowners to help them maintain and stay in their homes;
develop vacant lots into in-fill housing or transformed in community green spaces, such as playgrounds, gathering spaces, or community gardens;
create strategies for regulating commercial landlords so as to incentivize filling storefronts with the businesses the community wants and needs;
invest in repairing and maintaining our own public infrastructure;
advise merchants about the resources available to them for store-front restoration;
support merchants through the Business Resource center to help them add attractive window displays;
hold landlords accountable for ensuring their properties are safe and maintained well;
install and maintain street lighting to help people feel safe in the business district;
assign beat cops to the business district and update the precinct building to convey that this is a vital part of the neighborhood and district; and
provide support and resources to small and new businesses to help them thrive within the Noble community.
Charting a New Path Forward
More than just fixing basic problems, we also need a new vision for a revitalized district that meets the needs of the surrounding community and draws visitors—and their dollars—from near and far.
But this vision should not be created in a closed room, with only a few, select people at the table. It needs to reflect the diversity and creativity of the Noble community, and that can only happen through real, meaningful community engagement.
We need input—early and often—from long-time business owners, community groups, and surrounding residents. And this requires leadership that facilitates productive, inclusive dialogue and serves as a source of necessary information to help stakeholders build consensus.
The Power of Neighbors
The long-term decline of the Noble area is due to many factors. Likewise, to rebuild it, we need many people, groups, and organizations working together in a spirit of collaboration and cooperation.
The area needs investment, support, and resources. And there is a lot that the Cleveland Heights government can be doing to rebuild the Noble housing market and revitalize its commercial district, such as:
Our Planning and Economic Development Department should:
ramp up its support, resources, and guidance for local businesses struggling to survive and grow;
work with the Noble business district merchants and surrounding residents to clarify a vision for the future of the district, and then develop a plan to bring that vision into reality; and
collaborate with local nonprofits and other community groups to align strategies for placemaking and to maximize available assistance for small businesses, especially minority- and women-owned businesses.
Our city’s Communications Department should:
advise and coordinate the communications and outreach strategies for everyone involved in this work and
promote the area and its business district in every way possible.
Our City Council and Mayor should:
engage with area business owners to better understand how our current codes, regulations, and policies are affecting their ability to prosper—then pass legislation to amend our codes and develop more programs to make our city as small-business friendly as we can be; and
work with local nonprofits to attract more people from around and outside Cleveland Heights to visit and spend time (and money!)—focusing on investing in amenities such as community events, quality outdoor and community spaces, cultural offerings, public art, and more.
The Role of Council Members in Shaping the Future of the Noble Road Business District and Surrounding Neighborhoods
I know I’m only one person. I can’t control what other people do. But as your City Council member:
I seek input from community members and bring that input into discussions with my fellow Council members and our mayor.
I advocate for collaboration with business owners, and community groups to find solutions to issues and opportunities for innovation.
I research strategies used in other communities—local and beyond—to drive placemaking that meets residents’ needs, supports a thriving small-business ecosystem, nurtures community culture, and attracts visitors.
I encourage, expect, and practice open communication and transparency.
I strive to build cooperative relationships by leading with a spirit of trust, generosity, and respect for all.
As your Council member, I am committed to working with my colleagues on Council and the mayor to give the Noble area the focus, support, and investment it needs to become the thriving residential sector of our city and the vital economic magnet that it should be.
