Where Tradition and Culture Abound

›› Continued from page 5 unique neighborhoods are among the things that make Parma an ideal place to live, said Mayor Tim DeGeeter. “We have a lot of excellent amenities in the city, with neighborhoods like Ukrainian Village and Polish Village, and we’re conveniently close to many others,” he said. “We’re close to Downtown and the Tremont community. From the north side of town it’s a really quick ride to go down to Progressive Field and see a Guardian's game. With access to the Jennings Freeway and I-480 we’re pretty centrally located to go east or west.”

The city also features a wide inventory of home styles from traditional bungalows in the northern areas to larger colonials in established subdivisions like Dogwood Estates and Sassafras Hills. “If you are a young family looking to buy a home, we've got safe, walkable neighborhoods with small businesses that dot the landscape, a lot of churches and a lot of fun bars,” DeGeeter said. “We’re becoming a foodie town with some really hip smaller restaurants.”

Other traditional Parma associations—some of which have long drawn lighthearted ribbing from throughout the county—also remain hip in the community, DeGeeter noted. “My home is well represented with pink flamingos and gazing balls,” he said. “We like promoting the pink flamingo as an image of Parma. It’s a cool thing that old and young residents appreciate. When fourth graders come to tour City Hall for a civics lesson, they always tell me they can guess what my favorite animal is. It’s pretty obvious, because I have so many pink flamingos in my office. It’s a fun thing that we embrace as a symbol of the city. We also embrace our distinction as the self-proclaimed paczki capital of the world.”

DeGeeter said he also embraces the city’s tagline— “Progress through Partnerships”—which emphasizes the collaboration that has made Parma a desired city in which to live and work. “The city government can't do everything alone. We need partners to help maintain a high quality of life in the city,” DeGeeter said. “That’s why we work with organizations like We Are Parma Proud, a nonprofit group that puts on community events. We partner with local businesses, organizations and area leaders to improve recreation, senior and city services, boost economic development and update aging infrastructure.” continue to expand with the addition of new businesses throughout the city. Parma offers a blend of national chains and local businesses, DeGeeter said. “You don’t need to leave Parma for anything,” he said. “We have wonderful bakeries and excellent meat shops. And we have larger retail stores, like Ace Hardware and the new Aldi on the north side. We're really proud of the new development at the Shoppes of Parma (formerly Parmatown Mall), because when I first became mayor in 2012 the mall was in receivership and the future was unknown. When you drive through Ukrainian Village, Polish Village and shopping areas like Quarry Square and Acme Plaza, you don’t see many vacancies.”

Economic development in the city remains strong, the mayor reported.

DeGeeter presented his 2023 State of the City address at WorkHub99—a former General Motors (GM) training facility—where 10 small businesses employ more than 50 workers. GM recently completed a $46 million expansion of its local metal fabrication plant, and about 17 acres of property, once occupied by MTD Products, is ripe for new development, DeGeeter said. “Our businesses are our lifeline,” he said. “The income tax base provides the funding to hire police, firemen and other city employees.” In 2022, the city brought in almost $51 million in income tax revenue—up almost $9 million compared to 2021.

Balancing Parma’s vibrant retail districts, the city boasts ample parkland and recreational opportunities, DeGeeter said. Complementing the 326-acre West Creek Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks, the city operates Veterans Memorial Park and James Day Park and many smaller parks. “We have walking paths and all kinds of amenities, including tennis and new pickle ball courts,” he said. “Our municipally-owned Ridgewood Golf Course offers another unique recreational option.”