East 185th Street Revitalization Effort Awarded $88,000 Grant

Neighborhoods in Greater Cleveland are on the rise, and East 185th Street is no exception.  Straddling the Cities of Cleveland and Euclid, East 185th has a long history of providing a diverse array of neighborhood-focused retail goods and services to the Collinwood-Euclid area. Developed as an intimate, pedestrian-friendly retail district, East 185th Street is the type of street attracting new residents and investment throughout Northeast Ohio. That’s why the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, Northeast Shores Development Corporation, and the Cities of Euclid and Cleveland are very pleased to announce the receipt of an $88,000 Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI) grant from Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) to help continue the growing strides and development of the East 185th Street neighborhood.

The TLCI grant will be used to develop specific recommendations for pedestrian and bicycle-friendly transportation improvements, land use and zoning, redevelopment scenarios, and design guidelines for public and private improvements that will promote mixed-use and transit-oriented development (TOD) along the corridor.

“NOACA’s TLCI program offers communities and their partners a terrific opportunity to plan for more transportation options,” said Grace Gallucci, Executive Director of NOACA. “We are happy to make this program available and to play an important role in making communities more livable.”

This past year, Collinwood has been a recipient of a variety of generous grants in addition to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency grant, including the Kresge Foundation Grant, and the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture public grant.  “Our neighborhood couldn’t be more thankful for these generous grants that will be used in a variety of ways to help continue to make Collinwood a prosperous community,” said Brian Friedman, Executive Director of Northeast Shores Development Corporation. “We are very excited to use these funds to continue developing programs and opportunities that will put Collinwood on the map both locally and nationally,” continued Friedman.

“In particular, I am extremely excited about the prospects for the East 185th Street Commercial Corridor. This has been a priority of our community and this Councilman for a long time. My sincere thanks to the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission and the Northeast Shores Development Corporation for their partnership in bringing new life, design and resources to one of Cleveland’s historic business districts,” said Councilman Michael D. Polensek of Ward 8. “I am looking forward to working with those involved in this project and seeing the fruits of our labors materialize in a revitalized East 185th Street, which will benefit the greater North Shore Collinwood community.”

Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik also sees much potential for the district. “East 185th Street is a gateway to both Euclid and Collinwood.  The street is electric and authentic, which combine to make East 185th a great place to live, work, and visit.  New investments being made by University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, and a variety of restaurants, bars, and retail establishments are breathing new life into this great street.”

Adds Cervenik, “The collaboration of the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, City of Cleveland, City of Euclid and Northeast Shores will result in a unified approach to revitalizing this important street.”

For more information on East 185th Street, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/East-185th-St/122519544477548.  For more information on Northeast Shores Development Corporation, visit www.northeastshores.org. To arrange media interviews, please contact Becki Cooper at Becki@RebeccaAdele.com or via phone at 440-227-8794.