CLEVELAND — The Downtown Cleveland Alliance (DCA) is urging the community to "Build Something" while working to renew the Downtown Cleveland Special Improvement District (SID).
Much of what keeps downtown Cleveland safe and clean is paid for by the SID, where downtown businesses pay into a program that runs initiatives like the Clean and Safe Ambassador Program.
Just on the corner of Euclid Avenue and East 9th Street, pedestrians can see new apartments under construction across the intersection from an empty parking lot that is expected to be new apartments by 2022.
"Even in the past three years, I think it's changed so much," said Downtown Cleveland Residents Association Vice President Julianne Putano.
At first, she moved to Cleveland thinking it would be a temporary stop. Three years later, she says it's too good to leave.
"I think Cleveland is super unique in that it's so walk-able and it does feel very homey," Putano said.
In the last five years, DCA's 2019 3rd quarter market update says 1,599 new apartments have opened up, with 661 of those coming in the past year.
Construction crews throughout downtown shows that there are more on the way.
Right now, there are 7,028 apartments available downtown, with 92.6 percent of them occupied.
"There are more and more people who are coming and who care about the neighborhood," Putano said.
It's possible, partially, because of the SID and programs that come out of it, such as the Ambassador program.
Storefront property owners pay into the SID and need to decide every five years to renew it.
The new theme for 2020 is "Build Something."
With many of Cleveland's old buildings already getting a face-lift, the focus is turning to empty parking lots and new construction.
The SID needs to be renewed with at least 60 percent of the businesses supporting the move.
When it was last renewed in 2016, it passed with 70 percent.
