Dear Mr. Seals:
You responded to my most recent post regarding the Ohio Supreme Court’s refusal to hear a case involving the Cleveland Foundation’s efforts to build their headquarters on E. 66th Street in Ward 7 by asking me to explain how the foundation moving to Hough would improve the lives of the residents of our ward. I, in turn, replied “I don’t do juvenile education.”
Allow me to apologize for my smarmy remark. Not that I believe anything I write will change your opinion of the Cleveland Foundation since, as you recall, this is not the first time you’ve queried me about my support of this organization. Nonetheless, with that stated, I’ll provide you with a chronology of the ongoing efforts to uplift our ward, efforts I’ve been involved with for the last 20 years.
Well over a decade ago, right after League Park was rebuilt and has its grand opening, folks at City Hall announced plans to improve East 66th Street in an attempt to attract younger families to move into Hough and to make the street a “destination” that attracts visitors from the surrounding region as well as for visitors to Cleveland. The notion was to build on the energy created by the upgrading and reopening of the oldest still-standing baseball park in America. I was invited to serve on the committee since at the time my wife and I had been living on 66th Street for about eight years. We subsequently built a vineyard and winery across from our home, so we manage a business in the community also.
However, the original plan went nowhere. It sat collecting dust on a shelf at City Hall — until the Cleveland Foundation announced it was seeking to build its headquarters on East 66th Street. Since that announcement, a number of projects have gotten off the ground.
First and foremost is Birthing Beautiful Communities, Christian Farmer’s organization of doulas — trained midwives who assist women in giving birth to healthy babies; they also stay involved with the families to assure the child gets off to a good start in life. To my mind this is the single most important program in the entire city, one that will help assure that children of color from all over the city get that good start. You can simply ask Ms. Farmer how much the Cleveland Foundation (among others) has aided her in strengthening her program.
Second, the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) is moving forward with plans for a new library on East 66th Street and Lexington Avenue, their first new “from the ground up” facility that has been built in decades. How this will assist us in attracting new residents while serving the wider community needs no explanation, I assume. Talk to Felton Thomas, the director of CPL, ask him if the Cleveland Foundation’s move had any bearing on their decision to build.
Third, MAGNET, a training school for high school (and post-high school) students that focuses on skills in the machine trades. Currently it’s located on the campus of Cleveland State but is in need of larger facilities so it’s set to open at the site of the now-closed Margaret Ireland School on 63rd and Chester. Young people from our — and nearby — communities can receive training in skills that are in great demand and pay well. Every neighborhood in Cleveland would have liked to been the new home for this organization, but they selected ours. Why? Ask them, I already know that answer.
Fourth, Allen Estates, a planned development of 26 new homes, recently had its groundbreaking on East 66th Street at Linwood Avenue, directly across from League Park. The project is being headed up by two very talented women of color. Again, you can do your homework and find out who these women are and ask them of their involvement with the Cleveland Foundation.
Oh, and lest I forget, there’s our own project, the New Winery at Château Hough. In the coming year we plan to begin raising funds to build a larger, state-of-the-art winery between 65th and 66th Streets on Hough Avenue. The goal is to change perceptions of Hough. We want people to think of our winery, not the uprising (which they call riots) when they think of Hough. The Foundation has been assisting us in strengthening our organizational structure.
Now, I know you’ll either be immediately dismissive of these projects or think the Cleveland Foundation’s decision to build on 66th Street played no role in their development. However, you’d be wrong. As I previously said, I’ve been involved with the 66th Corridor Project for years and nothing took off until the Cleveland Foundation announced it wanted to move into the neighborhood.
I hope this answers your question, Mr. Seals. But somehow I doubt it will satisfy you or change your mind and, further, I’m doubtful you’ll put forth the effort to ascertain the validity of my statements of fact. That’s why I initially responded “I don’t do juvenile education.” Allow me to apologize for my flippant remark, but please, don’t ask me to try to convince you of something that you simply do not want to believe since it appears you have another agenda.
However, if you have a change of heart or mind and want to get involved in building up Ward 7 instead of simply attempting to tear down organizations that are trying to help, my offer still stands: You’re invited to join our 66thCorridor Project Committee and help us build up Ward 7.
