2021 Annual Report
OHIO CITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION
Welcome About Us
The Ohio City Improvement Corporation (OCIC) is a Special Improvement District (SID) that leverages investments made by Ohio City’s commercial property owners to better the neighborhood through a variety of services. These services are available to all members of the Ohio City community whether they are living, working, or visiting the neighborhood. After a successful expansion campaign in 2020, the OCIC footprint was extended beyond the popular West 25th Street strip to include the vibrant and growing commercial corridors west down Detroit Avenue and Lorain Avenue. The 2021 Annual Report will serve as a recap of the activities OCIC engaged in across their six service categories and a snapshot of the organization throughout the last year.
Our Mission Statement The Ohio City Improvement Corporation strives to create a clean, safe, and vibrant neighborhood that embraces Ohio City’s rich history while building toward the future. Our mission is anchored by principles that balance growth with respect for our environment and social equity. We believe in creating opportunity and are committed to a community in which all our residents, and business owners, succeed and thrive.
Hospitality Clean & Safe Ambassadors The addition of OCIC in the Ohio City neighborhood has brought with it the smiling faces of our Clean and Safe Ambassadors Team. Every day from 7AM to midnight, you can find our Ambassadors working their way through the SID to help in a variety of ways: WELCOME | Ambassadors serve as a friendly, welcoming face in the neighborhood for neighbors and visitors alike. INFORMATION | Our Ambassadors greet visitors by providing directions, restaurant recommendations, and even umbrella escorts when it’s raining. MOTOR VEHICLE ASSISTANCE | Issues with your car? No problem. Help with vehicle issues such as: changing a flat tire, jumping a dead battery, or helping drivers who have locked their keys in the car is just a phone call away. SAFETY ESCORTS | Whether you’re looking for someone to walk with you between SID establishments or some company while waiting for the bus, our Ambassadors are happy to accompany you throughout the area. KEEPING THINGS TIDY | From litter clean up and trash removal and graffiti removal to light repairs, our Ambassadors work to keep the SID clean and welcoming.
2021 Statistics A quick snapshot of some of the services our Clean & Safe Ambassadors have completed over the last year.
918
193,373
6,776
1,224
GRAFFITI & GUM REMOVALS
POUNDS OF TRASH REMOVED
CONTACTS WITH BUSINESSES
HOSPITALITY ASSISTANCE
Call the Ambassador Team: 216.621.6000
OUR AMBASSADOR TEAM IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT 7AM - MIDNIGHT DAILY
Safe Choice Security
Safety
Ohio City Improvement Corporation (OCIC) began security details with Safe Choice LLC in July with two security guards. The guards are dispatched throughout the SID as needed based on current neighborhood crime trends. In their first six months they added additional security along Detroit Avenue and the West 25th retail corridor. Safe Choice LLC is owned by a retired Cleveland Police officer with over 30 years of experience and an open line of communication with the Cleveland Police. They work to be a proactive member of the neighborhood’s safety by building relationships with business owners and the community at large.
Additional Lighting In January 2021, OCIC completed phase one of the Market Square Park light installation process. By fixing 6 floodlights donated by GE to the Bender building to shine light into the park at nighttime after hours. Pictured right. Thank you to Councilman Kerry McCormack for providing casino funding ($10,000) used to illuminate Market Square Park.
Expansion of the Camera Program Each year the OCIC budget includes funds for the installation of one new camera package within the SID. In 2021 we installed a camera package near W.25th Street and Lorain Avenue. The next package is planned to be installed near W. 26th Street and Church Avenue and will occur in 2022. This area was prioritized due to an increase in car break-ins and other crimes and will be a be crucial investment to the District. While areas outside the Special Improvement District are not funded by the OCIC budget, we are working with Councilman Kerry McCormack to secure additional fundings so the camera program can be extended outside of the District boundaries. To help in this effort, Councilman McCormack has provided $30,000 in casino funding to install and update the cameras in residential areas of the neighborhood which lie outside of the District.
Beautification Market Square Park Community Planting Day
As one of the first things you see when entering the neighborhood and the Special Improvement District, it’s important to keep Market Square Park clean and welcoming for the more than 1.8 million visitors the West Side Market sees each year. Every spring Ohio City Improvement Corporation ramps up for the annual Community Planting Day where neighborhood stakeholders come together to plant fresh, new flowers and lay down mulch in planter beds around Market Square Park and W. 25th Street. In 2021 24 neighbors came together to assist in this effort. In addition, OCIC maintains Market Square Park annually. On average, about $12,000.00 is invested in the park.
Franklin Circle Community Clean Up
A few community clean-ups began in August for Franklin Circle, where OCIC gathered volunteers from local block clubs, residents, churches, board members, and hospital employees. Volunteers dug up dead trees and plants from the middle of Franklin Circle in addition to any weeds accumulated throughout the year. Once all identified plants, weeds, and trees were removed, volunteers took two months to lay down mulch donated by a neighboring neighborhood developer. The mulch was used to cover up the empty spaces in the middle of the circle.
Accessibility Sidewalk Snow Removal Snow removal throughout the Special Improvement District is made possible by our contract company Ground Works Land Design LLC. Sidewalks along the three commercial corridors are cleared anytime during a snow event where the snow is more than 2 inches. The Ground Works team clears a 5-6 foot path for residents and visitors to easily walk through the SID. The goal is to have the district cleared by 8 am. While the Ground Works team clears the sidewalks, business owners are still responsible for salting and clearing out business entryways. In addition to the Ground Works team, our Clean & Safe Ambassadors work to help remove snow from areas such as ADA ramps, bus shelters, and crosswalks.
Our 2021 Contract by the Numbers Ground Works continues to make significant investments to the fleet dedicated to Ohio City to ensure the District is prepared for any situation Mother Nature can come up with. In the past year, the team has invested in additional heavy duty snow removal equipment to help dig out 3-6 foot high piles of snow created from snow plows.
300+
1,420+
62.4”
132
MILES OF SIDEWALKS CLEARED
SQ MILES OF SIDEWALKS CLEARED
SNOWFALL IN THE DISTRICT
HOURS OF CLEAN & SAFE AMBASSADOR ASSISTANCE
Sidewalk Obstructions Low hanging tree branches, broken trash cans, vehicles parked on sidewalks, and other obstructions can be cleared with the help of the Clean & Safe Ambassadors.
Call the Ambassador Team: 216.621.6000
OUR AMBASSADOR TEAM IS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT 7AM - MIDNIGHT DAILY
Activation Market Avenue & Family Fun MARKET AVENUE CLOSURE | In 2021, OCIC worked together with neighborhood businesses and the City of Cleveland to close the one way street, Market Avenue, to vehicle traffic. The street that is located across from the iconic West Side Market, was utilized as a parklet and for addition seating for businesses along the road including The Flying Fig & Great Lakes Brewery as part of the City’s TEA program. HALLOWEEN | Friday, October 29th, Ohio City Improvement Corporation & Ohio City Incorporated created a neighborhood Family Fun Event with three hubs where families could walk through the neighborhood and participate in arts & crafts, games, food, and candy. There were three identified zones where event-goers could stop. A shuttle bus was available for families to pick-up from the Malachi Center. Special thanks to all of our community partners that made the event so special: Carnegie West Library, Cleveland Fire - Station 4, Cleveland Police - Second District, Cleveland Ghostbusters, Malachi Center, St. Ignatius High School, St. Patrick’s Church, Trinity Church, West Side Alliance Church, Downtown Cleveland Alliance, & Blow Hair & Nail Studio. WINTER FUN | On Saturday, December 4th Londrincos Christmas trees set up tree sales until completely sold out on Market Avenue. At Market Square Park, Skylight Financial Group had stuffed the truck event. In partnership with the Cleveland Police Foundation. On Saturday, December 11th, Ohio City Incorporated, and Ohio City Improvement Corporation had a variety of activities for families and children including: story time with Santa, ornament decorating, create your own snowflakes, and snowball throwing contest. Additionally, hot chocolate from Lekko Coffee along with assorted cookies were served.
Outreach
Neighborhood Outreach Worker
In 2021 we added Stephanie Thomas to the team through our partnership with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH). In the short time Stephanie has been on the team, she’s developed relationships with members of the Ohio City Community who are experiencing houselessness and assisted in connecting them to resources and helping them to navigate the various shelter and housing application options available to them. “The stories of our community members who struggle on the streets and how they got there vary significantly. I imagine that many reading this now would be surprised to know just how close any given person is to losing everything at any point in their life. There’s a saying; you’re closer to being homeless than you are to being a millionaire. The work is thrilling, and none of it can be done by just one individual; it takes our entire team. My outreach and advocacy family at NEOCH and my support partners at OCI. So it is with gratitude I move forward in my work, knowing that we are making a difference, uplifting our neighbors and our community members”. - Stephanie Thomas
Community Engagement & Aid in 2021 CLIENT ENGAGEMENTS / SERVICES: Accompanied to Detox / Rehab - 5 Employment Obtained - 3 Received COVID-19 Vaccinations - 5 Referred for Mental Health Treatment and Care - 3 Transported for emergent Medical Treatment and Care - 5 Phones obtained - 3 Identification obtained - 22 Directed to Emergency Seasonal Shelters - 23* Extended Stays Provided in Hotels or Rooming Houses - 6* Overnight Stays in Hotels during Emergent Weather Conditions- 75* Clients on Housing Voucher Waitlist - 8 Clients on Permanent Housing Waitlist - 11 Clients scheduled for Permanent Housing - 1 Clients Permanently Housed - 0 Government Benefits (SNAP, SSA) – 10 DIRECT DISTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY: Tents - 17 Sleeping Bags - 20 Boots (pairs) - 16 Blankets - 50+ Bus Passes, Backpacks, Gloves, Hand Warmers, Lunches, Groceries, Hygiene Packs, Socks, Underwear, etc. - Countless * Stephanie assisted with signing up for or obtaining an initial issuance of SNAP or Social Security Administration (retirement) benefits. With the pandemic having all in-person appointments at these two government agencies closed and most houseless people not having access to their own phone or computer, this was necessary and people’s only avenue for obtaining these necessary benefits.
Looking Forward
April 13, 2022
Dear Stakeholder, If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that the small businesses and property owners of the Ohio City’s Special Improvement District, Ohio City Improvement Corporation (OCIC), are a resilient bunch. From the pandemic to monumental snowfall, they’ve weathered more than their fair share of tough times in the recent past. But the bright spots are clear. With more investment happening every day and most of our small business family weathering the recent storms despite being a bit more worn from the wear, we can see a light on the proverbial horizon. Because of the uncertainty of the last two years, OCIC has been operating at the mercy of the immediate needs of the District including the addition of auxiliary security officers and executing the City of Cleveland’s Temporary Expansion Area (TEA) program. While these were necessary programs for maintaining our ecosystem of small businesses, it’s delayed important priorities throughout the Special Improvement District. To help move our vision for the District forward, we’ve engaged Strategy Design Partners (SDP) to develop and create a strategic plan for OCIC to align our vision with an executable plan. Now through early summer 2022, we have prioritized the planning process of developing a new strategic plan for the organization in conjunction with Board leadership and SDP. These processes will help us to professionalize the organization through the drafting of formal agreements between OCIC and Ohio City Incorporated (OCI), OCIC Board training, and developing and updating governance documents. The initial planning work is in its closing phases, but the general 2022 timeline of our SDP partnership is as follows: MARCH 2022 • Launched a committee process • Issued a member survey • Conducted interviews with stakeholders and the board members APRIL 2022 • Analyze the survey and interviews • Announce findings at OCIC Annual Meeting • Hold committee meetings to review findings and begin strategy sessions MAY/JUNE 2022 • Committee meeting: firm up strategic areas, draft plan • Committee meeting: finalize plan, draft agreement with OCI • Governance training following Board elections • Development governance documents and align with committees While this work can seem daunting and difficult in the moment, it will allow us to build a clear vision and create a roadmap for us to follow as we move into the next phase of the Ohio City Improvement Corporation. Onward! Sincerely,
MICHAEL DOSTAL Board Chair Ohio City Improvement Corporation
THOMAS MCNAIR Executive Director Ohio City Incorporated
Financials & Board FINANCIALS?
2021 Financials 2021 FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT Total Income
BOARD
Total Expenses
$689,274.09
$453,525.91
2021 EXPENDITURE BREAKDOWN
ANYTHING ELSE?
Program Expenses | $420,700.54 Administrative Expenses | $11,750.00 Operating Expenses | $21,075.37
2021 Board of Trustees MIKE DOSTAL Board Chair
MARK RAYMOND Board Member
SAM MCNULTY Vice Chair
TERRI SMUCNY Board Member
JOHN HAGERTY Secretary
JOHN GILL Board Member
JAMES KEATING Treasurer
GRAHAM VEYSEY Board Member
PETER SNAVELY Board Member
STEVEN HANKINS Board Member
DOUG PERKOWSKI Board Member
3308 LORAIN AVE | CLEVELAND, OH 44113 CALL AN AMBASSADOR DAILY 7AM - MIDNIGHT: 216.621.6000