Ward 11 News ~ Spring 2016, Dona Brady

Councilwoman Dona Brady
Spring 2016
Variety Theatre Receives Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits Award – Over $1.4 Million
Christmas came early last year in Ward 11.
After years of lobbying by Councilwoman
Dona Brady, Westown Community
Development Corporation, the Friends of
the Historic Variety Theatre and the Detroit
Shoreway Development Corporation,
the Ohio Development Services Agency
announced on December 16, 2015, that the
historic Variety Theatre was one of seven
applicants in Northeast Ohio to receive an
award of Ohio Historic Tax Credits. Through
a highly competitive process, this project
received a commitment of over $1.4 million
dollars in tax credits, a pivotal piece of
financing to move the renovation of the
closed Variety Theatre closer to reality.
The redevelopment of the Variety Theatre
project will transform the iconic mixeduse structure into a new town center for
the diverse Westown neighborhood. The
building, constructed in 1927, housed the
massive 20,900 square foot Variety Theatre
along with several ground-floor retail tenants
and thirteen second-story rental apartments.
The building’s immense presence along
Lorain Avenue – the neighborhood’s main
commercial corridor – will result in a catalytic
project aimed at promoting further private
investment within the Variety Village Historic
SAVE the Date:
Saturday, September 24
The Variety Marquee Lighting
Ceremony and Block Party
Entertainment by “Frank and Dean”
Followed by the Marquee Lighting
Theatre Building will contain ten renovated
storefronts, ten second-floor apartments, a
comfort seating movie theatre in the balcony
with a retractable screen, a destination
restaurant and live entertainment venue.
The structure will provide new opportunities
for entrepreneurs, bring new residents to
the neighborhood, and provide endless
opportunities for entertainment and dining
within the building. Along with the renovation,
the project includes the construction of a new
“green” community parking lot across the
street.
NEWS FLASH: Marquee And Blade Sign
Going Up
The Lorain Avenue corridor will soon be
dramatically changed through the installation
of a spectacular marquee and blade sign on
the Variety Theatre. At a height of twentyeight feet, the new signage will bring back the
golden era to the Variety Village. This iconic
sign recreates the dazzling historic signage
of the building and will be lit by over 2,000
LED bulbs, many of which were purchased
by supporters and residents. Many thanks to
local Industrial manufacturers Michael Ripich
of American Tank and Fabricating and Mark
McNamara of Arkra Inc. for their extremely
generous contributions to the construction of
the marquee and blade sign.
With the assistance of Mayor Frank G.
Jackson, the new streetscape and public art
are now complete and the installation of
the new marquee and blade sign is moving
forward. Construction crews are on site now,
with completion expected by the end of
summer.
Sun., July 31 //
Twist Motown Review
Twist is Cleveland’s best Show/Special
event dance band, featuring an
incredible “Classic All-star Soul Revue
Show,” a wide variety of great current
dance music, Motown classics, and
golden oldies.
Sun., August 7 //
Monica Robins &
The Ninja Cowboys
Monica Robins & The Ninja Cowboys
formed in late 2012 to meet the rising
demand for contemporary country music.
You’ll hear your everyday favorites along
with the classic anthems and songs.
sneak preview
Sunday Night Concerts at Halloran Park
sneak preview
sneak preview
back by popular demand…
District, much like the Detroit Shoreway
Arts District.
The $14 million fundraising campaign is
well underway. Upon completion, the Variety
Sun., August 14 //
Shady Drive &
The North Coast Horns
Shady Drive’s plays 60’s and 70’s
rock ‘n’ roll, as well as rock hits of
today. This seven piece band will keep
the dance floor full all night!
No More Warnings for Bulk Item Pick Up
Over the six months since the new
rules came into effect, over 2,400
warning citations, which did not incur
financial penalty, have been issued.
As of February 1, 2016, there are no
more warnings and the first offense
will mean violators will be fined.
Trash should be set out no
earlier than noon the day before
your waste collection day. Containers
must be returned to their storage area
by noon the following day. Failure to
comply with the law could result in a
$100 fine.
Got Neighborhood Safety Concerns?
Speak directly with Commander
McCartney and his staff at:
The First District
Community
Relations Meetings
FIRST THURSDAY of each month
7 pm @ St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, 10205 Lorain Ave.
Minor’s Nighttime Curfew & Ages
Darkness to Dawn
9:30 pm to 6:00 am
11:00 pm to 6:00 am
Midnight to 6:00 am
12 years old & under
13 & 14 years old
15 & 16 years old
17 years old
Nuisance Neighbors?
Call the 1st District CSU, 623-2503
Upcoming Bulk Item
Pick-Up Weeks:
May 9 - 13, 2016
June 6 - 10, 2016
July 5 - 9, 2016
You may set out a limit of three bulk items.
Examples include appliances, tables, chairs,
mattresses and box springs, couches,
furniture, plus up to four tires. If you need to
set out bulk items other than the 2nd week of
the month, you must call 216-664-3711 to
schedule.
Not the Kind of ‘Spice’ You Want to Add to Your Life…
Councilwoman Dona Brady
has learned of a potentially
lethal craze hitting our
streets. She has begun
working with the FBI, local retail
merchants, the United States Congress
and the City of Cleveland’s Department of
Public Health.
A new dangerous drug known as K2/Spice
is being marketed as a ‘safe’ alternative to
marijuana.
But it’s anything but safe.
What it ACTUALLY consists of is dried plant
matter that is sprayed with chemicals called
synthetic cannabinoids. These chemicals are
considered a “new psychoactive substance”
which alters a person’s mind and has other
unsafe and adverse side effects, such as
seizures, violent episodes, and falling into a
catatonic state. After prolonged use, these
chemicals can destroy human organs and
become lethal.
People who make and sell these products
sell them in black or bright colorful packages
with cartoon characters under a variety of
brands such as “Black Mamba,”“Kush,” and
“Kronic,” but there are hundreds of brand
names. Because of its packaging, low price,
and promised high, it has become popular
among youth and adults. Its street
names are “spice” or “synthetic weed.”
You can find K2/Spice being sold
under the counter in various
places such as corner stores,
and gas stations. While synthetic
cannabinoids are illegal, the individuals
who make them find new ways of changing
the chemical composition to create new forms
that are not yet illegal. This makes it very
difficult to remove them from the public.
The Healthy Cleveland Initiative’s
Behavioral Health Committee has been
looking into the scope of K2/Spice usage in
our city.
We are now starting to see increased rates
of ER visits related to K2/Spice in Cleveland,
although it is very hard to track and monitor.
We will continue to work with EMS, police,
and health-care providers to inform the public
about the risk of this dangerous drug and
monitor its prevalence in our city.
What can you do to keep our community
safe from K2? If you see someone selling K2/
Spice, call the Cleveland 1st District Police at
216-623-5100 to report.
If you are struggling with an addiction to
K2 and want help, call 211 to find resources in
your neighborhood.
Cars and Bikes and Lanes
The Nuisance Abatement Law sponsored by
Councilwoman Brady has improved behavior in
Ward 11. Last summer, diligent neighbors continually
called the police Community Service Unit (CSU) until
many of these properties were declared nuisances.
The city notifies property owners when three
nuisance violations are documented in a 60 day period.
Examples of nuisance activities include loud noise or
music, groups of youth out after curfew, basketball
hoops in the street or public right of way and disorderly
conduct.
After the director of public safety notifies an owner
that he has declared a property a nuisance, the owner
is charged $100 for each subsequent visit until the
nuisance is abated. If seven violations occur, the
owner must appear in court and it becomes a
criminal offence – a second-degree misdemeanor
punishable by a $750 fine and/or 60 days in jail.
Many of these declarations result in evictions.
Residents who are experiencing a nuisance
neighbor or establishment should call the police
Community Service Unit at 623-2503 and the nonemergency police dispatch at 621-1234. The more calls
you and your neighbors make the more likely it
is that the nuisance will be resolved.
Safe Rules of the Road
A Message from Councilwoman Dona Brady:
As part of Mayor Frank G. Jackson’s effort to reduce the city’s
carbon footprint, he has launched “Sustainable Cleveland,” a green
initiative that includes bikeways on various main and secondary
streets.
In 2015, the administration designated 16.3 miles of bikeways,
totaling 78 miles of bikeways throughout our city.
So as more and more bicyclists take to our streets, I want
to stress that motorists and bicyclists need to follow rules of
the road:
• City traffic laws require bicycle riders to operate under the same
laws as cars and motorcycles. For instance, a vehicle overtaking a
bicycle must give a three-foot distance between them.
• Cars and trucks are prohibited from driving in lanes marked solely
for bicycles. This does not include share rows where bicycles and
motor vehicles use the same lanes. Also, vehicles and bicycles
turning left at an intersection must yield to oncoming traffic.
• Bicyclists riding at night are required to have a bell or other
audible signal, a white light on the front and a red light on the
back. They are also required to have a red reflector on the back
and reflectors on front- and rear-wheel spokes.
• If there is no bike lane on a street, bicyclists are required to ride as
near to the right side of the road as practicable and must obey all
traffic rules, including stopping at stop signs and red traffic lights.
• Bicyclists must learn and apply hand signals when riding. The
signal for left turn is an outstretched left arm; the sign for a right
Illustration from Bike Cleveland
turn is a bent, raised left arm or an outstretched right arm. The
sign for stop is a bent left arm pointing down.
It is wise to have a bicycle or helmet mirror when riding, especially
in heavy traffic. Here are some safety tips for bicycle riders:
99 Stay visible, stick to a straight path and avoid weaving
between traffic.
99 When riding next to parked cars be careful of motorists
opening doors.
99 Use bike lanes when possible.
99 Pass buses on the left, not the right, and make eye contact
with the driver so he or she knows you are there.
99 Avoid riding behind tall trucks or buses.
With the arrival of spring and warm weather we will be seeing
more bicycles, so please remember to heed the rules of the road so that
bikes, cars, trucks and pedestrians can all travel safely.
For details on bicycle and traffic laws, you can view city ordinances
by visiting City Council’s website at www.clevelandcitycouncil.org,
click Charter /Codified Ordinances. Part 4 is the city’s traffic ordinances.
Chapters 431 and 473 address bicycle and automobile rules of the road.
Thank you. And be safe.
WELCOME TO WESTOWN:
room located at 13000 Lorain Ave.
Contact at 216-889-9999.
Cuisine Du Cambodge:
Destinations on Cleveland’s Westside for the urban explorer.
Stop for a snack, a meal & more! Photo Credit: Nicole Drake
at 13046 Lorain Ave. Contact at
216-671-6220 or visit derbrau.com/
index.html.
Kristina’s: Serves traditional
breakfasts, lunches, burgers and
early bird specials with the freshest
ingredients. It’s a family style
Assad’s Bakery: Home of the
perfect pita, featuring on premise
Middle Eastern specialty bakery,
prepared foods, imported olives,
spices, olive oil. Daily prepared hot
table items for eat- in or take-out
and catering available. 12719
Lorain Ave. Call at 216-251-7777 or
visit assadsbakery.com.
Silver Spoon recipient, featuring
Southeast Asian Cuisine. Dine in
or carry out. “Imagine exotic bends
of lemon grass, galangas root,
lime leaf, coconut milk Asian basil
and turmeric creating dishes that
play an exotic tune on your taste
buds,” according to the Cleveland
Magazine. Located at 13124 Lorain
Ave. Contact at 216-252-6900.
Der Braumeister: Master Bier
Caffe Roma: Italian style
trattoria, serving handmade
Italian /Neapolitan specialties and
traditional favorites including fresh
mussels with linguini, homemade
pizza, eggplant parmesan, veal
piccatta, after dinner dolce with
house made cannolis with espresso
and cappuccino available. Beer
& wine served. They serve lunch
and dinner; carryout catering and
have a beautiful private party
Haus & Restaurant established in
1953, it has been named one of the
best bars in the US by Men’s Health
Magazine. It is also Cleveland’s
longest established German Craft
Beer & Food Establishment serving
dining experience reminiscent
of yesteryear’s pre franchise
family- owned eateries, where the
waitresses know your name and
the food is cooked to order. Located
at 9912 Lorain Ave., in the Lorain
Station Historic District. Contact at
216-961-4455.
Luchita’s Mexican
Restaurant: The original
Luchita’s is a Cleveland landmark
owned by the same family for
30 years serving traditional
and gourmet Mexican cuisine
developed over the centuries
influenced by unique and authentic
indigenous food including native
Indian culture, enhanced but not
overshadowed by the Spanish,
French, Oriental and German
influence. Full service bar & great
margaritas! Located at 3456 West
117th St. Contact at 216-252-1169
or www.Luchitas.net.
Pride of Erin: The Campbell
family’s friendly traditional Irish
pub with a great juke box & dart
leagues, was one of the first bars
in Cleveland to introduce Guinness
Stout. There are half a dozen
dartboards and the pub hosts
dart leagues Monday and Tuesday
nights with lots of colorful local
history and folk lore. Located at
12228 Lorain Ave. Contact at 216251-2922.
is one of three breweries still
bottling beer in Cleveland. Their
flagship beer Hippie IPA was first
bottled in 1998 and they produce
everything from German Style
Kolsch to Belgian style Saison.
County Land Bank Helps Our Neighborhoods
Abate Nuisance Abandoned Homes
In 2003, Councilwoman Brady observed
several vacant houses while walking
through the ward. She had noticed a
significant change from the year before.
At the time the problem of vacant and
abandoned houses had not been identified
as the issue it has become today.
Councilwoman Brady contacted the
City Planner for Ward 11, Rose Zitiello,
now the Executive Director of Westown
Community Development Corporation
(WCDC) , and they convened meetings
with the Departments of Community
Development, law and Building and
Housing. They established a working
group to evaluate the problem and identify
mortgage holders of record to develop a
data base to track vacant houses.
Rose then drafted the City of
Cleveland’s recommendations for the
Mayor and City Council joint task force on
vacant & abandoned housing committee
which provided an analysis of best practices
for targeted acquisition and redevelopment
strategies for vacant homes. Today
Westown CDC and Councilwoman Brady are
working to apply those principals toward
identifying new buyers and home owners in Ward 11 through the
Cuyahoga County Land Bank (CCLB) Over the past 2 years, WCDC
has facilitated, acquired and sold 38 vacant and abandoned
homes through the CCLB.
In 2015 eight new families purchased homes and resettled here
from other states.
The Cuyahoga County land Bank acquires properties that
at 9941 Walford Ave. (One mile
south of Lorain Avenue off West
Blvd. Contact at 216-860-1434 or
buckeyebrewing.com/tapstack/
on-tap.
Curbside Coffee: Judy
Buckeye Brewery & Tap
Stack Tasting Room: Buckeye
authentic, schnitzel, smoked
sausages, roasted Bavarian duck
with 140 beers to choose from. The
restaurant serves lunch, dinner and
Sunday brunch. They are located
Their tasting room is open to
public to try great craft beers!
Their 15 barrel brew house can be
toured by appointment. Located
have been abandoned or are severely tax
delinquent and then holds them for a short
period of time until a developer is identified
or it is determined it is beyond repair and
then as a last resort will be demolished.
When a County land Bank property
becomes available in Ward 11, WCDC
provides applications to interested
purchasers. WCDC holds the application
time period open for 30 days. Owner
occupants are given first choice.
The applicant must provide written
specifications to complete the interior,
exterior and landscaping improvements
and proof of financial commitment to
cover the costs to bring the properties
up to code. Unless there are extenuating
circumstances, the homes must be
completed within 180 days. The average
cost to acquire and bring the houses up to
code is $24,000.00.
New residents are attracted to our area
as they see the Westown neighborhood
is a vibrant, historic and culturally diverse
community featuring a wide range of
housing choices, many on tree lined streets.
Westown CDC services Ward 11 and has
25,000 residents and includes three historic districts.
The neighborhood also has two recreation centers including
Halloran Ice Skating Rink, which is the only one in Cleveland.
Sunday summer concerts at the Gazebo at Halloran Park, indoor
and outdoor pools and water playgrounds along with other
activities provide year round fun for families. In addition, there
are plenty of authentic ethnic restaurants to please any palate.
hosts the region’s top blue grass
musicians, country and gospel
performers in a cozy coffee bar.
Hanging guitars, banjos, mandolins
and other strings invite customers
to come in, take a guitar down and
play a song. Curbside is located at
9858 Lorain Ave. Contact at (440)
823-3849 for more information.
Find out more about Cleveland’s
great Westside neighborhoods
that make up Westown at www.
westowncdc.org, facebook.com/
pages/Westown-CDC or call
216-941-9262.
Westown CDC
Completes Three Years
of Property Surveys
In 2014, each of Cleveland’s 25 community
development corporations came together in
an agreement to conduct exterior surveys of
each residential and commercial property in
their neighborhood jurisdictions.
The surveys – to detect code violations
-- are being conducted over four years and
Westown Community Development Corporation (WCDC) is on task to complete 1,600
surveys by July of this year.
So far, 75 percent of property owners with
code violations in the WCDC area have voluntarily corrected them, avoiding legal action
from the city.
Councilwoman Dona Brady, whose ward
includes the WCDC area, said the survey
program is alerting property owners to keep
ahead of exterior code violations.
“This effort is helping to keep our neighborhoods stable,” said Councilwoman Brady.
“Besides staying on top of code violations, we
are seeing millions of dollars in investments
in commercial properties along Lorain Avenue.”
The Lorain corridor between West 150th
Street and West 117th Street has recently
seen more than $9 million in city, county,
state and federal dollars invested in street
reconstruction, streetscapes, sidewalks and
public art. A second phase of this project is
on the drawing board, waiting funding.
Councilwoman Dona Brady | 601 Lakeside Avenue • Room 220 • Cleveland, OH 44114
Water back up in your basement?
PAID
PRESORT STD.
U.S. POSTAGE
CLEVELAND, OH
PERMIT NO. 2893
Notify the Division of Water Pollution with sewer issues
The Division of Water Pollution Control (WPC) is responsible for
managing the sanitary sewage and stormwater collection system in
Cleveland. If water backs up into your basement, you should notify WPC
to investigate the problem. If it is determined that no problem exists
between the curb and main sewer line, the property owner is then
responsible for hiring a licensed and bonded plumber to check connections on the property.
Contact the WPC Customer Service Unit if you:
• Experience an accumulation of water in the basement.
• Observe a blocked catch basin or street flooding.
• Observe a damaged catch basin.
• Observe missing catch basin covers, manhole covers or broken grates.
• Observe a caved-in street.
• Observe a hole in a tree lawn.
• Observe anyone pouring or putting anything into catch basins or
sewers.
Water Pollution Control’s Customer Service Unit can be reached at
216-664-2513. Hours are Monday - Friday, 8 am - 7 pm and Saturday and
Sunday, 9 am to 7 pm. For after hours emergency service call 664-2000.
For more information about The Division of
Water Pollution Control,
visit www.ClevelandWPC.com.
This year’s YMusic Benefit will be
held May 6 at the Music Settlement’s
Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Avenue,
beginning at 6:00 pm. The program,
supported by Westown Community
Development Corporation and
Councilwoman Dona Brady, provides
aspiring musicians, songwriters and
vocalists with opportunities to study,
play and network with seasoned
musicians.
This year’s program features three
nationally known touring musicians –
singer/songwriter Rich Spina, guitarist/
producer Larry Mitchell and bassist/
composer Sean O’Bryan.
For details on the program or the
benefit, visit www. westowncdc.org or
contact Phyllis Rivera at 216-215-8881.
Schedules, times and more details are
available on the website.
Resources for Property Owners
Dominion’s Line Protection Program
Protect yourself from unexpected, costly repairs
Our aging housing stock also has
aging sewer, water and gas lines. It
is the homeowner’s responsibility
to repair any broke or clogged lines
from the connection in the home to
the curb.
With the onset of the rainy
season, the possibilities of problems
increase. Dominion East Ohio has a
program that permits homeowners
to pay a monthly fee to reduce or
avoid the cost of repairing or
replacing a broken line. However,
your protection does not begin until
you sign up and they receive your
first payment. NOTE: You are not
eligible for this program if you have a
preexisting problem.
Inquire today!
Call Dominion Products
and Services at
1-800-562-8419
Annual YMusic Program
Held in May at Music
Settlement’s Bop Stop
Interest-Free Loans from HFLA
Interest-free loans are virtually unheard of yet they may be available for home improvements,
emergencies, student loans and other financial needs through the Hebrew Free Loan Association (HFLA),
a non-sectarian, interest-free lender here in Northeast Ohio.
HFLA offers its loan products to those with a genuine need and ability to repay.
It offers education loans for college, technical school or vocational schools and it also offers car loans
and loans for repairs, utilities, tax liens and more.
HFLA has been offering loan products since 1904. It has a straight forward process that includes loans
up to $10,000 with repayment terms of one to three years in monthly installments. Qualifications are
based on ability to repay, co-signers and the integrity of the client. Applications are usually considered
within two weeks. Emergency loans for under $500 can be considered.
For more information please visit www.hflaclev.org or call
216-378-9042.
The Home Affordable Refinancing Program (HARP)
Many Cleveland home owners could be eligible for federal assistance to save their homes
from going into foreclosure. The Home Affordable
Refinance Program (HARP) could save a home
owner eligible for the federal program an average
of $1,456 a year.
To be eligible for a HARP loan:
• Your loan is owned by Freddie Mac or Fannie
Mae.
• Your current loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is greater
than 80%.
• You must be current on your mortgage.
• Your home is your primary residence.
• Your loan was originated on or before
May 31, 2009.
HARP was created by Federal Housing Finance
Agency and the U.S. Department of the Treasury
during the financial crisis to help homeowners
with little to no equity refinance into a more stable
and affordable mortgage.
The HARP Program expires in December of this
year, so don’t delay.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF
GREATER CLEVELAND, can help you figure out if
you qualify. Call 216-458-HOME (4663) to work
with a counselor.
Also, you can visit the Web site www.harp.gov
for information about the program.
Graffiti & Pothole Hotline | 664-2510
If you see graffiti or a pothole please get an exact
address or location and call the HOTLINE.
By working together we can keep Ward 17 clean and safe.