OCTOBER 2024

NEWSLETTER

The Harvard Community Services Center will be closed on Monday, October 14th in observance of Columbus Day, and in honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Storefront Program: Sports One Bar and Grille

14201 Harvard Ave - AFTER Photos

Business Owner: Claude Carson


The City of Cleveland’s Storefront Renovation Program (SRP) is designed to help improve the exteriors of Cleveland’s neighborhood retail buildings with the goal of making them more attractive, economically viable, and diverse places to visit and shop. The program does this by assisting building owners and retail businesses in the design of comprehensive exterior renovations and the creation of new retail business signage. 


Please click the link below to visit the

City of Cleveland Storefront Renovation Program website.


(Photo Credit: Courtney Zimmerman, City of Cleveland, Storefront Program Consultant) 

CITY OF CLEVELAND STOREFRONT RENOVOATION WEBSITE











Small business leaders and owners, this is an opportunity for you. The Federal Reserve has begun collecting responses to this year’s Small Business Credit Survey. As an official survey partner, we’re distributing the survey to for-profit businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch. By taking the survey, business owners and leaders contribute to data that directly informs the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—a public good ultimately benefiting their business and other businesses like theirs.


The survey closes November 1, 2024.



We’re proud to help amplify the voices of US small businesses. You can help by taking the survey (or sharing it with others) today!


https://fedsmallbiz.org/4cN0NwH



#SmallBusinessCreditSurvey #SmallBusiness #FederalReserve #smallbiz


Pictured above, Director Elaine Gohlstin, President/CEO, Harvard Community Services Center, speaking at Doc's on Harvard Restaurant & Lounge.


-Latest investments in Lee-Harvard businesses show

renewed neighborhood pride-

(Text/Photo Source: Cleveland Neighborhood Progress)


Cleveland, Ohio – In the historic Lee-Harvard neighborhood, renovations are underway for four commercial properties, the latest signs of reinvestment through two aligned efforts: the “Middle Neighborhoods Initiative” of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and the “Southeast Side Promise” of the City of Cleveland. Lee-Harvard community members [celebrated] this progress with an:


October 8th showcase at the neighborhood’s newest restaurant and lounge, Doc’s on Harvard. In partnership with Harvard Community Services Center, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) is coordinating these renovations made possible by the City, the State of Ohio, and the Cleveland Browns.


“Lee-Harvard community members are happy to see positive changes connected to our four-year Middle Neighborhoods Initiative, the nation’s largest investment in redlined neighborhoods teetering between decline and prosperity,” said Tania Menesse, President and CEO of CNP.


“The combination of new funds and local trust has reactivated property owners who understand the ripple effects of caring for their buildings.


“On behalf of the residents and businesses in the community, it is a dream come true to be chosen as a community of promise,” said Elaine Gohlstin, President/CEO of Harvard Community Services Center (HCSC), which has worked since 1968 to improve quality-of-life in communities including Lee-Harvard, where the Lee-Harvard Shopping Center marked the largest Black-owned commercial complex in the country in 1972.


“The great legacy of this community will stay intact through these efforts.”


“The Cleveland Browns are proud to partner with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress on this initiative to enhance and better empower our Middle Neighborhoods,” said Jenner Tekancic, Vice President of Community Relations for the Cleveland Browns.


“Championing equity is a core principle of our Be the Solution Initiative and our community impact efforts, and our hope is that investing in and highlighting businesses within the Lee-Harvard neighborhood will help that community prosper.”

“We are truly honored to partner with the City of Cleveland, Mayor Bibb and such esteemed organizations on this remarkable project. Our goal is to provide a dining experience that our neighborhood can take immense pride in,” said Kolnita Riggins-Walker, owner and chef of Doc’s on Harvard Restaurant & Lounge (16615 Harvard Avenue).

“From expertly plated appetizers to mouthwatering entrees and decadent

desserts, every bite is a symphony of flavors that dances on your taste buds. We are excited about the opportunity to uplift and elevate our community through the culinary experience at Doc's On Harvard Restaurant & Lounge on Harvard.”


The restaurant brought fine dining back to Lee-Harvard with its grand opening in June 2024 and has a new patio under construction through a grant from the City of Cleveland.


The October 8 event featured Kolnita’s top-notch cuisine and the reimagined space – previously the dentistry of her late father-in-law, Dr. William Walker, who served the neighborhood for more than 65 years and continues his legacy through Doc’s.


The Southeast Side Promise commercial grants provide matching funds for property owners to improve their buildings, including façades, lighting, sidewalk benches, landscaping, or clean interiors for new businesses. Ongoing Lee-Harvard improvements include beautification of the exteriors of:


Kaba's African and Caribbean Market (4102 Lee Road),

Watson's Community Health Centre (16603 Harvard Avenue),

and the storefront building located at 4088-96 Lee Road, owned by Double Platinum Properties, Jamie Johnson.


Beyond these commercial renovations, CNP is restoring four nearby homes to stabilize surrounding property values for Lee-Harvard's longtime, majority Black homeowners and attract new homeowners.


In addition to Lee-Harvard, the Middle Neighborhoods Initiative also includes ongoing work in the Collinwood, Old Brooklyn and West Park neighborhoods to prevent decline and promote economic opportunities.


The City of Cleveland’s Southeast Side strategy includes additional home rehabilitations as well as redevelopment of large, public properties in Lee-Harvard: the former Gracemount School site on Glendale Avenue and the former John F. Kennedy High School and recreation center site on Harvard Avenue. Cleveland Neighborhood Progress is leveraging funds totaling $10 million and growing.


Cleveland City Council previously committed $7.3 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds in alignment with the City of Cleveland’s Southeast Side Promise reinvestment strategy.

Kickin' It With Kenny

Kenny showcases Cleveland’s Lee-Harvard Neighborhood


(Source): Kenny Crumpton

https://fox8.com/morning-show/kickin-it-with-kenny/kenny-showcases-clevelands-lee-harvard-neighborhood/

A few photos from the

John F. Kennedy High School Athletic Field Groundbreaking Ceremony

which took place on 10/3.

Development Updates


Our Community Master Plan is currently in progress. 

In case you missed it, here is the link to the full masterplan.


https://planning.clevelandohio.gov/assets/compressed_Final_Lee%20Harvard%20Master%20Plan.pdf



















3331 E 140th St. Project



HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN PROGRESS

As part of our ongoing Ward 1 Housing Stabilization program, HCSC CDC has been acquiring vacant and abandoned State Forfeited properties via the Cuyahoga County land Bank (CCLRC). 


These properties are usually in very bad condition and without CDC intervention the properties usually end up condemned and razed. 


When a CDC acquires the property for renovation this also stops speculators from transferring these properties multiple times in the same month to different ownership. Our past experience has shown us that this type of sale and transfer only ultimately leaves it again abandoned and open for dangerous and illegal use.


Acquisition through the local CDC ensures that the property will be fully repaired and rehabilitated to and above Cleveland Code ordinances with all permits pulled for the repairs.


Our goal is for complete rehabilitation and sale to a vetted low-income homeowner, and to increase homeowner opportunity as well as generational wealth.


We are currently working on 3331 E. 140th St and anticipate completion by the end of this November.  

EXISTING CONDITION

JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!


PHOTOS / VIDEO FROM THE

8th ANNUAL

HARVARD CULTURAL FEST

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24, 2024

(VIDEO) Harvard Community Services Center Harvard Cultural Fest 2024

Director Elaine Gohlstin, President/CEO

Harvard Community Services Center

18240 Harvard Ave., Cleveland, OH 44128-1743


Tel: 216.991.8585

Fax: 216.991.3818 



Email: info.harvardcsc@gmail.com

https://www.harvardcommunitycenter.org/

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