Why Does Cleveland Heights Need a Transparent and Inclusive Process for Economic Development Projects?
Time and again, the Cleveland Heights trek toward completing successful economic development projects have encountered opposition and confusion from our city’s residents. This highlights the need for City Hall to create a transparent, inclusive, and consistent process for economic development projects in our city. The Noble Station project is only the latest example. Have you heard about the Noble Station project? Here is the story:
In December 2022, Mayor Seren asked the Cleveland Heights City Council to approve a sale of City-owned land at 2288 Noble Road. The City administration (the mayor) communicated nothing more to council about the property until mid-August 2023, when the administration informed council that a developer was ready to finalize the purchase of the property, as their project design and pre-construction work was complete. Around this time, the administration also told council that they needed to quickly pass legislation to finalize the transaction because the developer had to submit applications for state tax credits by September 21, 2023.
The residents surrounding this development heard about the project at the same time that council did, and many were concerned because they had no opportunity to learn more or provide input on this low-income, four-story, 52-unit apartment building on the long and narrow lot at 2288 Noble. After listening to the concerns brought forward by community members and closely scrutinizing the proposed building design, council voted, 5–2, against passing legislation to authorize transferring the property to the developer.
During discussions about the project between council and the administration, it was clear that council had not been kept informed about the developer’s plans, nor did the administration communicate what it knew about the state tax credit dates in a timely manner. Consequently, when council was asked to vote on the legislation with a deadline fast approaching, council was put under unnecessary pressure to approve a project while our information about it was limited.
What became clear from this—and has been evident from multiple past development projects as well—is that council and the administration need a process in place that is implemented from the beginning of any economic development and continues through to its completion. This process must include regular council updates: the administration must share information about any changes in a development project shortly after they occur. The administration, in partnership with council and potential developers, also must include community meetings early and often to inform residents of plans, gather and incorporate feedback, and foster community buy-in for developments in our city. Additionally, the CH-UH School Board should be informed of any new development at the start of any project and likewise kept informed as it proceeds.
The administration needs to include council in discussions about financing options, any tax credits the developer will seek, and tax abatements, as well as advise council in a timely manner if the developer may be seeking any grants or tax credits from the state. Our Public Works Department should also be present in meetings about developments to answer council’s questions about how a development may affect sewer and water utilities and whether current utilities need to be augmented for the development.
These are just some of the steps of a standardized, inclusive, and transparent development process that, if followed, will ensure that council will be fully informed and be assured that the community has also been involved in the development process. If a process such as this is implemented and embraced, then, when Council is asked to approve any development legislation, they will be able to make a responsible, fully informed decision that is based on trust and measured deliberation, not suspicion and manufactured pressure.
