Abandoned Properties
Abandoned properties are the number one concern of community
residents in East Cleveland. Shortly after the 2008 Community dialogue
we planned and implemented Phase I of the Abandoned and Vacant
Properties campaign. In phase I of the plan, we adopted a mapping
strategy from our sister organization in Youngstown, the Mahoning
Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC). The mapping component consisted
of surveying the entire city of East Cleveland for the purpose of
identifying every vacant structure and vacant lot, grading the
conditions of the structures from “A” to “F” with “F” being the
unsafe/hazard and in need of demolition. All of this data would then be
placed in a Geographic Information System (GIS). Case Western Reserve
University (MSAS), the City of East Cleveland and NOAH partnered to
complete this project. The purpose of collecting this data was to
provide a realistic snap shot of the city for the purpose of
strategizing the most effective ways to spend the Neighborhood
Stabilization Program Funds for the city; to use the data collect as
leverage for community leaders to advocate for more funds to stabilized
the community of East Cleveland and finally to serve as to a catalysis
to start the conversation of building a 20 to 30 year community
development plan for the city that is based off of community input,
take a deep analysis of the assets of the city, elements that the city
is missing, etc.