Message from the Mayor

This past month was a month to celebrate partnerships.  At the beginning of February, we officially welcomed Simon Grocery store to Euclid Avenue with a ribbon cutting and community event.  This project is an example of partnerships working to address a problem and bring about a great project.   In this case, we have a private developer, Mr. Hussain, who invested in an aging plaza; City Council committing CDBG funds to help the project; Cuyahoga County Board of Health Healthy Communities Program providing technical assistance and connections to the Finance Fund and Food Trust who provided both funding and expertise.  This project is being held up as an example by the agencies involved of how successful partnerships lead to great results.  This project brings investment, jobs to local residents, and fresh affordable food to an area previously identified as a food desert. 

We also had a chance to visit and welcome DriveTime to the HGR property on Euclid Avenue.  DriveTime is the 4th largest used car company in the United States.  At this site, they bring in cars, inspects them, refurbishes them, and transports to their sales offices.  Again, this project was successful because there was a property owner willing to invest in their property, a business willing to invest in building and equipment, and Planning and Development Department making connections to Team NEO who provided funding needed to bring this project to fruition.    In addition to filling a long term vacancy, this business currently employs nearly 70 employees and has resulted in nearly $6 million in capital improvements.

I am also grateful for the partnership of the Greater Cleveland Foodbank who has developed a mobile food pantry for seniors once a month together with our Senior Center.  Bob Payne and his staff have worked with the Greater Cleveland Foodbank who provides the food, while the Senior Center staff and crew of senior volunteers sort, bag, and distribute the food to seniors.  This program helps fill a need to the seniors, but also demonstrates their willingness to volunteer and serve others.  A special thank you also to Gateway Health for donating cloth bags to carry the food and Captain Kevin Kelley and community police officers who helped unload and pack in February! 

Other examples of great partnerships I experienced this month include the Lake Erie Folk Fest (with Shore Cultural Centre coming together with the Northeast Ohio Musical Heritage Association to bring artists and more than 1000 visitors from across the region to Shore Cultural Centre) and a wonderful wine tasting fundraiser hosted by Friends of the Henn Mansion in partnership with Mama Catena’s Restaurant to raise money for capital improvements at the Henn Mansion.  Both events were well supported by community sponsors and well attended by residents and visitors to Euclid.  A great way to spotlight our community! 

There are so many more examples to speak about and many more to explore.  I thank all those willing to work with me, work with City Council, work with our community organization, and invest their time, talent and resources.  We are a better community for it and we will continue to grow and thrive because of our commitment to working together.

Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail