Streetscape envy is what the business folks around the Cedar Road-Taylor Road area straddling Cleveland Heights and University Heights are feeling these days. Just down the road at the Cedar-Lee intersection, park benches, streetscaping and more provide an overall cohesive feeling that attracts shoppers and visitors.
Now taking matters into their own hands are roughly 60 businesses and proactive residents who created the non-profit Cedar Taylor Development Association (CTDA). The goal is to simply bring to fruition an inviting and invigorated business district.
The efforts include the first Fall Fundraising Day taking place Saturday in area shops, where merchants in the district have offered to donate a portion of their sales that day to help meet the fundraising goal of $5,500. The group’s wishlist includes planters, benches, trash receptacles, district signage, bike racks, and public art.
Cool Cleveland talked to CTDA Board President and building owner Kevin Smith about the group’s plans.
Cool Cleveland: First of all, what’s the goal of the CTDA?
Kevin Smith: We created the CTDA two years ago. Our first thing we did was we originally had a consultant do a streetscape study for us and make recommendations along the lines of bike racks, planters, benches and signage. So now we are raising money so we can basically pay for some of those improvements.
How would you describe the current state of the Cedar Road-Taylor Road area?
It’s a neighborhood that has a lot of independent businesses but there hasn’t previously been any sort of collective effort to look at the issues in the neighborhood. Everybody kind of did their own thing with their own store or building but nobody has paid attention to what’s going on in the street. When you look at other successful shopping districts in Northeast Ohio, it’s important to create a comfortable welcoming environment.
Is the goal to be more like the Cedar-Lee intersection?
Yes and no. They are a Special Improvement District, where essentially all of the property owners tax themselves. So they have a lot more funding available than we do. We don’t have any funding unless we’re out there raising it and getting people to donate.
That explains why you’re holding Fall Fundraising Day?
Correct. So far we’ve raised $3,000 from the businesses by making direct donations. Our total goal right now is to raise $5,500 because by doing that we’ll get matching funds from the city of Cleveland Heights. Then this spring, we can buy the bike racks, benches and planters. Additionally, Cleveland Heights has awarded us for next year an additional $10,000. We’re also working with the University Heights to identify funds. So this will be an ongoing thing on a regular basis. We’re also looking at local sources.
Looking ahead, does CTDA have any other goals?
In the long-term we’re looking at working with cities as far as street changes, like putting in left-hand turn lanes and parking solutions. Ultimately, we’re hoping to encourage people to shop in the neighborhood.
For more information, visit gofundme.com/cedartaylor.
Freelance writer John Benson spends most of his time writing for various papers throughout Northeast Ohio. When he’s not writing about music or entertainment, he can be found coaching his two boys in basketball, football and baseball or watching movies with his lovely wife, Maria. John also occasionally writes for CoolCleveland.com.