FutureHeights is dedicated to preserving and Future strengthening neighborhoods and commercial districts in Cleveland Heights and advocates citizen Heights NEWS participation in planning and development. NO. 15 WINTER 2005 ANNUAL REPORT 2004 Now is the Time to Join FutureHeights This could be your final issue of the Clean & Green program, and many of FutureHeights News. BUT . You don’t the public education and advocacy projects have to miss an issue if you JOIN TODAY! that are the cornerstone of the organization. We know you’ve enjoyed reading These core programs will continue to FutureHeights News over the past four grow in 2005. HeightsShops will offer years. It is a labor of love produced by additional educational workshops for inde- people who, much like you, value Cleveland pendent business owners and increase the Heights and are working to keep it strong. “Buy Local” campaign. We hope to double Popularity has been a double-edged sword, the sales of the FutureHeights gift certifi- however: our printing and mailing expenses cates program, and will continue to offer have soared. Because we want to direct technical assistance to districts as well as most of our lean budget to community work to increase beautification efforts of services, we have decided that, after this public spaces within those areas. issue, we will send FutureHeights News only The 2005 speaker series gets off to a to members of the organization. great start on January 19 at the annual You can continue to receive the city’s meeting. We are honored to present best publication on citizen planning issues, Donovan Rypkema, an internationally city development information, and recognized authority on real estate econom- FutureHeights events—and be treated to ics. I have had the pleasure of hearing Mr. free and discounted members-only special Rypkema speak on a number of occasions events—by becoming a member. Your tax- and it is always a great delight. He will deductible contribution goes a long way to speak about the important role of Cleveland supporting vital community programs and Heights’ historic neighborhood commercial projects that enhance the quality of life for districts, a presentation sure to spark lots of all. We’ve enclosed a convenient pledge ideas and discussion at this major yearly envelope. We hope to hear from you soon. get-together for friends of FutureHeights. Members will be treated to a couple of From the President of the Board free events: the annual meeting reception at When a group of Cleveland Heights citizens Studio You!, a “meet and greet” full of great sponsored a town meeting in January of conversation and good cheer, as well as a 2001 to discuss the challenges of big box fun walking tour of an historic Cleveland stores entering our historic neighborhoods, Heights neighborhood this summer. we had no idea that four years later the Other 2005 highlights will include effort would have spawned the creation of another public participation planning FutureHeights, a nonprofit organization exhibit in August, three more issues of committed to community revitalization and FutureHeights News, additional volunteer citizen involvement. It is gratifying that the opportunities, and community forums work of a few has grown to the work of featuring local experts. many. FutureHeights, so named because we This annual report chronicles who we look to the future of this wonderful city, has are, what we do, and the many ways you established itself as a vital component in the have helped your community through work that must be done to preserve and support of FutureHeights. Your generosity strengthen Cleveland Heights. continues to inspire us, renewing the dedica- FutureHeights’ programs are designed tion of the staff, board, and volunteers as we to revitalize the community as well as to work to strengthen Cleveland Heights. give Cleveland Heights citizens the opportu- It is with great enthusiasm and pride nity to directly participate in making their that I present this progress report on our neighborhoods better places to live, work, services to Cleveland Heights in 2004. and play. Our second year of operation as a nonprofit organization saw the further Sarah Wean, President development of the HeightsShops program, Program Highights Clean & Green Considering Lee Road Big DigStacy Mitchell Lee Road Holiday Stroll Board of Directors Education and Advocacy held four volunteer clean-up events in 2004, 2004–2005 Education and advocacy issues were front bringing together citizens and student Sarah B. Wean, President and center in 2004. We expanded the email groups from JCU and Cleveland Heights Community Volunteer newsletter outreach to more than 475 High School. The Garden Angel program Chuck Miller, Immediate residents to inform them of pertinent issues raised $300 for bulbs that were planted Past President and meeting dates. We endorsed the rezon- along Lee Road. The Big Dig Perennial Principal, Doty and Miller ing of the Lee Road corridor and produced a Exchange in October brought together Architects citizen’s planning vision document for Lee Cleveland Heights gardeners to swap plants John Milgram, Road development. and exchange plant stories. Vice President The FutureHeights Speaker Series The FutureHeights Gift Certificate President, Aexcel Corporation presented four events in 2004: Tom Bier of program, designed to keep resident’s hard- the Levin School of Urban Affairs at CSU earned dollars circulating in the local Robert M. Leggett, addressed aging housing stock and its economy sold over $3,000 in 2004. Over Treasurer Chief Investment Officer, implications for the future; Lou Tisler, eighty Cleveland Heights independent Gries Financial LLC Director of the First Suburbs Development businesses participate in this program. Council, spoke of the advocacy work of the We provided technical assistance to the Andrea Morris, Secretary Community Volunteer organization and its new development Cedar-Lee Special Improvement District projects; Pat Carey addressed the statewide through facilitating partnerships in the William D. Buss II policy work of GreaterOhio; and Stacy planning and design of the Lee Road Attorney at law Mitchell, of the Institute for Local Self- streetscape and assisted the Cedar- Gregory M. Donley Reliance, spoke on chain stores and their Fairmount and Cedar-Lee districts with Senior Writer/Designer, economic toll on the American way of life. their special events. Cleveland Museum of Art In August over 500 people viewed “Consider- Ben Greenberg ing Lee Road,” a five-day citizen participa- Community Outreach Loan Officer, National tion planning exhibition recognized by the FutureHeights increased its membership Capital Corporation Plain Dealer’s Steven Litt as “an unusual support by over 20%. John Hopkins experiment that should be repeated In September, FutureHeights members Executive Director, Buckeye throughout the region, for projects big and were treated to a sneak preview of the Area CDC small.” The exhibition continues to draw Beechwood Road two-family conversion Mark Majewski input through our website, project, sponsored by the First Suburbs Principal, Northstar www.futureheights.org. Development Council. Planning And we published three issues of The FutureHeights website, Eileen McKeon FutureHeights News, including a special www.futureheights.org, was enhanced to Smythe-Cramer Realty report on Lee Road that was distributed to include additional information, a more John Satola 2000 citizens. comprehensive community calendar, and Production Artist, additional public input tools such as the Brokaw Inc. Heights Shops discussion forum and surveys. Terry Schwarz In September, 25 Cleveland Heights mer- To promote the beauty and livability of Senior Planner, Urban chants participated in a workshop devoted Cleveland Heights, FutureHeights devel- Design Center of to strengthening local, independent busi- oped a screensaver that features over 100 Northeastern Ohio nesses in the face of corporate competition, photographic images that highlight the Robert Youdelman conducted by national expert Stacy Mitchell. buildings and neighborhoods that make Retired CFO, Allen Telecom Clean & Green, our beautification program, Cleveland Heights unique and attractive. Executive Director Julie V. Langan Members Our special thanks to Elke Chodorow Sally Hanley Bobbi McNamara Rodger Saffold these foundations for Mark Chupp & Sharon Jean Hanson Donald & Sandra McPherson James Salerno their support in 2004: Schumaker Richard & Gloria Hanson Elisa Meadows & Salon DM Coatings Research Group, Inc. Samuel S. Hartwell Adam Altman Bradley & Sharon Sanders The Cleveland Foundation Franklin Cohen Barbara Hawley & David Marilyn Meadows Stephan & April Schlegelmilch The Cyrus Eaton Foundation Gary Collins & Goodman Joanne Melaragno Mr. & Mrs. Viktor The Wm. J. & Dorothy K. Albert Dello Russo Heights Guitars S. Joshua Mendel Schreckengost O’Neill Foundation Jack & Roslyn Collins Sean & Nika Heineman Mike’s Convenient Food Mart John & Barbara Schubert The Katherine & Lee Chilcote William & Barbara Collins Dawn Heintzelman John Milgram John & Sally Schulze Foundation Michael & Jennie Collyer Bruce Hennes Chuck & Janice Miller Terry Schwarz The Nord Family Foundation Lucille Conde Chuck & Ann Herbruck Will Millhiser Susan Semonoff The Paintstone Foundation Kim Conklin & Damir Janigro Rice Hershey & Wilbur Bonnie Mills Victor Serna/ Sky Bank The Raymond John Wean James Corcoran Markstrom Michael & Carol Montlack Nancy Shrader Foundation Julie Cortese & Fred Heinzel Charles