Enhancing Social Connections and Creating
a Stronger Sense of Neighborhood Identity

A STRONG
NEIGHBORHOOD

In 2014, we set the stage for wins around blight removal in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood through more aggressive code enforcement and demolitions. Through

the advocacy work of our partners, federal, state, local and philanthropic dollars will be leveraged to increase demolition rates. This “cleaning” will then help set the stage for “greening” – i.e., re-imaging vacant spaces as parks, trails and gardens. These interventions will turn a liability – vacant land – into an asset that increases quality of life and that encourages current residents to stay.

We envision stronger community development organizations (Buckeye Shaker Square Development Corporation (BSSDC) and Mount Pleasant NOW) that meet or exceed best practices in the field. In the Woodland Hills neighborhood, a partnership will be established with the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) in order to bring resources to the residents of CMHA housing, and also to promote inter-neighborhood collaboration, resource sharing and programming.

In all three neighborhoods, the physical environment will support and promote health and create a stronger sense of place. Finally, by working with our partners, we will proactively work to improve social conditions.

GRANTEE

CASE STUDIES